2023 PB Lawrence Stakes Results: Cox Plate Hope Mr Brightside Salutes First-Up
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Royal Randwick Racecourse is host to its biggest ever Monday meeting with the rescheduled Apollo Stakes 2017 Day card featuring Winx running today, February 13.
Racing was called off in Sydney on Saturday due to the heat and punters finally get to see Winx back in action this afternoon with the weather far more favourable for racing.
Sydney is looking at a top temperature of 24 and the partly cloudy day means the current Good (4) Royal Randwick track rating is set to stay across the afternoon.
Racing kicks off this afternoon at 1:20pm (AEDT) and continues through until the bumper 10-race card comes to a close at 6:50pm (AEDT).
Five Group status races highlight the line-up and of course the marquee event is the much awaited $250,000 Group 2 The Star Apollo Stakes (1400m) featuring the first-up run of dual Cox Plate champion Winx.
The other key race to tune into looking for a guide to the is the Group 1 bound fillies facing off in Race 7 – the $200,000 Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) taking place one race prior to the Apollo.
Check out the full Randwick race scratchings and Apollo Stakes Day schedule below and then visit Ladbrokes.com.au for the best markets on all the races plus the $1.80 Winx Special (T&Cs apply / Max Bet $25).
Total Scratchings: 20
Race 1 (1:20) – $100,000 Ranvet Stakes (1600m)
A Benchmark 90 to kick-off the card and there’s a bit of class among the ranks in this mile showdown. Betting is wide open with all eight runners at $9.50 or under for the win. Hard to go past the Chris Waller-trained favourite Liapari ($3.70) who is progressive, won at the track / distance on February 4 carrying 55kg and drops to 53kg for this.
Race 2 (1:55pm) – $60,000 TAB Highway Handicap (1800m)
Class 3 handicap for autumn staying types. Medieval ($4.20) coming off a Doomben win at a mile and Circle Game ($4.80) battle for favouritism but looks to be value in Halbred ($7.50) who was runner-up at the distance, just defeated at Bathurst on January 27. Drops from 59kg to 55.5kg so can salute. Money also for Backhouse Billy.
Race 3 (2:35pm) – $100,000 Open Markets & BMYG Handicap (2400m)
Mile and a half Benchmark 84 for long shot Sydney Cup types. The ultra-consistent Kris Lees-trained Admiral Jello ($3.80) is warm favourite. Won by nearly three lengths at the track / distance last start with 56.5kg and wouldn’t need to improve much to do so again with 58.5kg. Danger are the Bjorn Baker-trained duo Gold Ambition ($11) who must be respected even with top weight and Embley ($6).
Race 4 (3:10pm) – $250,000 Listed Inglis Classic (1200m)
Lucrative restricted Inglis race for two-year-olds that could be seen in the Golden Slipper Stakes 2017. They are all lightly-raced and the form is hard especially with the top hopes Sweet Deal ($2.60) and Frolic ($6) drawn the outside two barriers. Leaning towards the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained Ultramarine ($4.80) with the gun barrier two draw and the in-form Hugh Bowman in the saddle. Stablemates San Marco ($15) and Bull Market ($21) are in the mix too at big odds.
Read full 2017 Inglis Classic Preview
Race 5 (3:50pm) – $150,000 Group 3 The Chi-X Southern Cross Stakes (1200m)
First of the Group races on the card and the sprinters are on show. Rails-drawn John O’Shea-trained Impending ($2.30) – third ion the Golden Rose before Stan Fox second and Caulfield Guineas fourth in the spring – starts favourite. Goes well fresh and distance is good for resuming run. Light weight (53.5kg) and barrier one are big pluses. Against the older horses though the three-year-old favourite could be exposed and Team Snowden’s market mover Dothraki ($4.80) and returning Group 1 winning top weight Le Romain ($5) are there to strike.
Race 6 (4:25pm) – $150,000 Group 3 Trainer Connections Spring Stakes (1600m)
The Group racing continues with this mile race for three-year-olds eyeing the Randwick Guineas run. Plenty of chances but leaning towards the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained Northern Meteor colt First Approval ($4.50) who is up in class but in flying form and set to peak from the inside alley, and Invincible Gem ($4.40) coming off back-to-back wins in Sydney – the filly just needs to get the right run from the bad barrier.
Race 7 (5:05pm) – $200,000 Group 2 TAB Light Fingers Stakes (1200m)
The top three-year-old fillies stake their claims for upcoming Group 1s in this and after scratching out from the Apollo Stakes, dual Group 1 winner Global Glamour ($3.10) at these weights is the one to beat even after drawing wide (12 of 14). Foxplay ($7.50) though is the value and has big claims at the upset for Waller in her returning run since a fourth in the Thousand Guineas to Global Glamour. Undefeated, dual Group 2 winner at the track with the right barrier (3) and hoop (Bowman).
Read full 2017 Light Fingers Stakes Betting Tips
Race 8 (5:40pm) – $250,000 Group 2 The Star Apollo Stakes (1400m)
The race everyone’s been waiting for with the horse everyone’s on – Winx. She is back and ready to dominate first-up to go back-to-back in this race and make it 14 straight wins. Gets things her way from the barrier at her pet track. Distance perfect first-up off two good trials. Nothing stops the champion in this field.
Read full 2017 Apollo Stakes Betting Tips
Race 9 (6:15pm) – $150,000 Group 3 Robrick Lodge Triscay Stakes (1200m)
Triscay Stakes for the mares has some The Championships-bound runners on show including the returning Godolphin-raced Pearls ($4.40) who has form at the track including a Group 3 win here last August and she goes well fresh (3-2-0-0). Nice price on rails-drawn Zestful ($8.50) who impressed in a recent trial and flies off the 42 day turnaround.
Race 10 (6:50pm) – $100,000 Schweppes Handicap (1200m)
Card closer is a Benchmark 85 handicap sprint where Hanwritten ($4) could cap off a great day for Bowman after a win over 1000m here on January 26 giving him a flawless record at the track. Plenty of livewire chances though including the classy Meursault ($9.50) who is allocated 61kg but gets in on 55kg with the apprentice claim.
*All odds quoted are provided by Ladbrokes.com.au & times (AEDT): subject to change
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