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Late-maturing Fangirl primed for Apollo mission

3 minute read

Chris Waller says high-class mare Fangirl is finally reaching full maturity this season.

FANGIRL.
FANGIRL. Picture: Steve Hart

Crowd favourite Fangirl is already a three-time Group One winner, but trainer Chris Waller believes she is only just entering her peak power period.

While capturing the Vinery Stud Stakes against her own age as a three-year-old, Fangirl spent much of her four-year-old season playing second fiddle to star colt Anamoe.

She placed behind him four times, three of those at the highest level, only claiming her first Group 1 win as an older horse in the Winx Stakes (1400m) last spring, before adding the King Charles III Stakes (1600m) two runs later.

It was Anamoe who relegated her to third in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) 12 months ago but with his retirement to stud, Fangirl gets a prime chance to add her name to the race's honour roll at Randwick on Saturday.

"If I could say she was a little bit stronger, I think I would be pretty accurate," Waller said.

"She is one of those late maturing horses. I think it came against her a few times as a three and four-year-old.

"As a five-year-old she is much stronger."

Fangirl is the only mare in Saturday's race, despite the fact it has been a happy hunting ground for them.

Six of the past 10 winners have been mares, although that statistic is slightly skewed with Winx winning the Apollo Stakes three times in 2016, 2017 and 2019.

Fangirl will be among four stable runners for Waller, who has also accepted with import Buckaroo, three-year-old Militarize and a new-look Lindermann, who has shaped well in two recent trials.

A Group 1 winner of last year's Rosehill Guineas (2000m), Lindermann couldn't revive that form in four spring runs and with a disappointing lack of interest from studs, the decision was made to geld him.

"It's a shame because the breeding industry is probably funnelling in toward speed, taking away the service on middle-distance horses, and the demand for them," Waller said.

"Hopefully it changes over time, or at least evens up a bit."

Waller expects Buckaroo to improve on whatever he does on Saturday, nominating the Verry Ellegant Stakes (1600m), formerly the Chipping Norton Stakes, as his short-term aim, while Militarize will need to break a drought for the three-year-olds if he lines up in the Apollo.

Ha Ha in 2002 was the last of that generation to salute, although connections could still take the option to wait another week and start the colt against his own age in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m).

Waller's team dominate early Apollo Stakes markets with Fangirl a $2.30 favourite on Thursday, ahead of Militarize ($4.40), Buckaoo ($6.50) and Lindermann ($9).

Think It Over is the only other runner at single-figure odds as a $7 chance.


Racing and Sports

Randwick

Saturday, 17th February 2024

7
16:00
(local)

PETALUMA APOLLO STAKES (G2)

Age: 3yo and up Type: OPEN
AUD $302,000
1400m TURF SOFT
7
16:00
(local)
AUD $302,000
1400m SOFT

PETALUMA APOLLO STAKES (G2)

Age: 3yo and up Type: OPEN


FP Silk Horse, Age & Sex
Sire & Dam
Jockey
Trainer
SP
WT
1st 8. FANGIRL (AUS) 5yo M
SEBRING (AUS) - LITTLE SURFER GIRL (AUS)
JAMES MCDONALD
CHRIS WALLER
$2.1
57kg
Ingham Racing (Mgrs: Ms L J Ingham, J A Ingham, R C Ingham & Mrs D N Kepitis)
2nd 10. MILITARIZE (NZ) 3yo C
DUNDEEL (NZ) - AMERINDIA (GB)
KERRIN MCEVOY
CHRIS WALLER
$6.5
55.5kg
Newgate Bloodstock, China Horse Club Racing Pty Ltd, Trilogy, Newgate S F, Horse Ventures, Go Bloodstock Australia, Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd, Grant Bloodstock Pty Ltd, Carpe Diem, Aston Bloodstock, Nick Vass Bloodstock, G1G Colts & Breeding Pty Ltd & Aristia Park Bloodstock Pty Ltd

Sales Information

3rd 1. THINK IT OVER (AUS) 8yo G
SO YOU THINK (NZ) - PERSONAL SERVICE (AUS)
NASH RAWILLER
KERRY PARKER
$7.5
59kg
Bylong Park (Mgr: R H Johnston)
4th 6. NAVAJO PEAK (AUS) 5yo G
TERRITORIES (IRE) - SHIP ROCK (AUS)
JASON COLLETT
DAVID PAYNE
$41
59kg
5th 4. BUCKAROO (GB) 5yo H
FASTNET ROCK (AUS) - ROHERYN (IRE)
TOMMY BERRY
CHRIS WALLER
$17
59kg
6th 7. LINDERMANN (AUS) 4yo G
LONHRO (AUS) - SELF ESTEEM (AUS)
TIM CLARK
CHRIS WALLER
$7
59kg
7th 3. ARAPAHO (FR) 7yo G
LOPE DE VEGA (IRE) - ALZUBRA (GB)
JOSH PARR
BJORN BAKER
$101
59kg

Sales Information

8th 5. ATTRACTABLE (AUS) 5yo G
I AM INVINCIBLE (AUS) - AFFABLE (AUS)
REGAN BAYLISS
SARA RYAN
$9
59kg

Sales Information

9th 2. CASCADIAN (GB) 9yo G
NEW APPROACH (IRE) - FALLS OF LORA (GB)
ZAC LLOYD
JAMES CUMMINGS
$16
59kg

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