The Perth Cup has not really taken the attention of eastern states trainers in recent times but a big stable name could appear on the winners’ list if Apulia can take out the 2026 edition on Thursday.
The five-year-old entire is the $1.90 favourite for the Group 2 feature over 2400-metres and in a preparation where potential is being realised again after spending nearly a year away from the track, Jd Hayes is as excited as the Lindsay Park team can be to have the son of 2013 Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente back at it with star jockey William Pike aboard.
“Can’t wait,” Hayes said.
“What a win last start and he has trained on nicely so bring on the Perth Cup.”
Beginning the preparation with a win at Moonee Valley over 1500-metres in October Apulia then took out the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes (1600m) at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week.
Nowadays, overlapping carnivals and the New Year’s Day positioning often sees the Perth Cup lack interstate representation but the timing was right for Apulia.
“The race has come along at the right time,” Hayes added.
“He showed that he was in very good form and it sits well to prepare him for the autumn. He spent long enough in the paddock.
“He has been airborne and it is a fun journey to have with him.
The decision go to West hit a bump when Apulia was too far back in the run to make an impression in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes but returned in style to win the Group 2 Ted Van Heemst Stakes (2100m) on December 20.
His Racing and Sports rating of 115+ has not been seen from him since the 114 achieved when finishing second in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) in 2023.
All being well, the team could look to races like the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington in late March.
The last interstate trainer to win the Perth Cup was Victorian Peter Morgan with Lords Ransom in 2010 while David Hayes finished second in 2009 with The Fuzz.
