The feature event at Randwick this Saturday is the Apollo Stakes (1400m), headlined by the return of ‘Baby Winx’ aka Autumn Glow who is the short priced favourite in the race that has quite a bit of quality about it and could see the favourite be a bit vulnerable first up.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2026 Apollo Stakes.
2026 Apollo Stakes Runner Preview:
1. Ceolwulf: Ceolwulf is a class animal. I thought he was a milk drinker but Joe Pride put the Blinkers on and he ended up becoming a rocket with wins in the King Charles and the Champions Mile. He has had an interrupted prep but has looked strong in trial work.
2. Antino: I haven’t been shy in saying this guy is the most overrated horse in the country. He’s not here to play.
3. Lindermann: Lindermann could well be the bet here, to run top three. Purely from the trials, I think he has trialled the best of the lot. He dead set jogged in the latest trial over 1050m here behind Just Feelin Lucky and while he has eyes on the Ranvet/Tancred etc etc, gee I think he’ll run a beauty here.
4. The Instructor: Hailed as the winner of the JRA Plate but was nabbed right on the post. Not up to these IMO.
5. Wootton Verni: Nice horse but not here to play.
6. Soul Of Spain: Has eyes on the Sydney Cup. Not here.
7. Autumn Glow: Baby Winx…need I say more? If she gets beat, so be it. But she’s a star and despite this being the toughest test to date for Autumn Glow, I am confident her star will shine and she’ll keep winning. Chris Waller wouldn’t be sending her to the races unless she was going to win because there is that unbeaten streak they want to keep going for as long as possible and her trial work…my goodness she has been sharp.
8. Stefi Magnetica: Stefi Magnetica is a classy mare for Bjorn Baker that resumes. She last raced in the Champions Mile at Flemington during Cup Week when a game third to Ceolwuf. 1200m is on the short side for her but has trialled super and class is going to carry her a long way.
9. Aeliana: Big watch on Aeliana for Chris Waller. Would she have won the Cox Plate? I say unlikely, but she should have been in the finish. She just had no luck on the turn when seemingly bolting. She is a star in her own right and was super first up last prep in the Winx. In the mix for sure.
10. River Of Stars: Has eyes on the Sydney Cup.
2026 Apollo Stakes $100 Betting Strategy:
$100 Place Lindermann
Apollo Stakes Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CEOLWULF (NZ) | Joseph Pride | Chad Schofield | 5 | 59kg |
| 2 | ANTINO (NZ) | Tony Gollan | Tommy Berry | 1 | 59kg |
| 3 | LINDERMANN | Chris Waller | Nash Rawiller | 6 | 59kg |
| 4 | THE INSTRUCTOR | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Adam Hyeronimus | 3 | 59kg |
| 5 | WOOTTON VERNI (FR) | Chris Waller | Joshua Parr | 2 | 59kg |
| 6 | SOUL OF SPAIN (IRE) | Chris Waller | Jay Ford | 4 | 59kg |
| 7 | AUTUMN GLOW | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 9 | 57kg |
| 8 | STEFI MAGNETICA | Bjorn Baker | Jason Collett | 10 | 57kg |
| 9 | AELIANA (NZ) | Chris Waller | Zac Lloyd | 7 | 57kg |
| 10 | RIVER OF STARS (IRE) | Chris Waller | Tim Clark | 8 | 57kg |
Apollo Stakes Odds
2026 Apollo Stakes Speed Map
The Instructor, with race fitness, looks the leader. But, I think he’ll have company in the shape of Lindermann. There is a chance that Autumn Glow lands 1/1 behind Lindermann if given a dig in the ribs.