A number of big name autumn carnival hopefuls including classy mares Melito and Hot Danish are set to trial in Sydney today, Tuesday February 15, ahead of their upcoming Group race assignments.

Both Melito and Hot Danish have been nominated for the $250,000 Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill this Saturday.

A decision on whether to accept for the Apollo, however, is being delayed by the connections of both runners until after their performances in workouts this morning.

Gerald Ryan’s Redoute’s Choice mare Melito is set to run in the day’s opening hit-out over 1030m at Rosehill Gardens as connections look to decide on what path they will take the four-year-old this season.

Melito, also nominated for the 2011 Newmarket Handicap on March 12 at Flemington, will face off against David Payne’s imported European galloper Illustrious Blue in the trial.

If Ryan decides to bypass the Apollo Stakes with Melito on Saturday, then the Group 3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield’s Blue Diamond Stakes Day on February 26 will be on the cards.

Meanwhile star seven-year-old Hot Danish will trial at Randwick this morning, the multiple Group winning daughter of Nothin’ Leica Dane having resumed for the season with a close first-up third in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on February 5.

Other notable horses running in barrier trials at Rosehill Gardens today include last year’s Melbourne Cup runner-up Maluckyday and Rangirangdoo facing off in the third jumpout over 900m.

The Chris Waller-trained Rangirangdoo is making their first appearance since winning the Group 1 Doncaster Mile at Randwick on April 17 last year.

The 2011 Apollo Stakes final field will be announced tomorrow, Wednesday February 16, and published here first at Races.com.au.

For the best Saturday horse racing odds and to get in on the early betting markets for all the season’s upcoming Group 1 features, visit Luxbet today.