Champion Fangirl proves class with Apollo Stakes win at Randwick

Chris Waller’s Fangirl proved again this weekend that she should not be overlooked by the betting sites.

The six-year-old mare outclassed heavyweights like Cox Plate winner Via Sistina and King Charles III Stakes winner Ceolwulf to win the Apollo Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.

Another Chris Waller mare horse also showed up big, with Lindermann finishing second in the race. The five-year-old gelding finished a length behind his winning stablemate.

Fangirl delivers

The pre-event horse racing betting odds had Fangirl as the second-favourite to win the Apollo Stakes.

She had $3.90 chances from the betting sites compared to Via Sistina’s $2.20 odds. Ceolwulf –the youngest horse in the race– was not far behind, with $4.00 odds to win the $250,000 from the betting apps.

Down the stretch of the race though, it was hard to see another winner than Fangirl or her stablemate Lindermann.

The latter maintained a steady two-length lead over Via Sistina and Ceolwulf as they broke away from the pack. Then, Fangirl emerged from out of nowhere to close the gap and overtake her stablemate.

Fangirl finished the race as winner by a length over Lindermann. Via Sistina finished in third, a nose behind Linderman. Ceowulf finished fourth, one and a half lengths behind the winner.

Fangirl a champion horse

After his mare came out on top of the heavyweight clash on Saturday, Chris Waller assistant trainer spoke at length about Fangirl and what he saw in the race.

“Fangirl has been a champion for about three years,” Duckworth said.

“She just fluffs around doing her own thing early and flies home, people take her for granted to a degree, but she is awesome.”

“Even in the call, they called Ceolwulf the youngest horse in the race and you do worry when horses get older, they might get a bit slower and the young ones can creep up on them.

“But gee, she was going to be hard to peg back today.”

Trifecta for Waller

While Via Sistina failed to live up to her favourites tag on Saturday, Chris Waller’s team can’t be too upset with the effort shown by the six-time Group 1 winner and her jockey Kerrin McEvoy.

Via Sistina came into this race off the back of two Group 1 wins (the Cox Plate and Champions Stakes) and has already won a 1400m race this year, despite it not being her preferred distance.

“Because she won so well first-up over 1400 last prep (in the Winx Stakes), I think we all just kidded ourselves into thinking she is capable of that (again),” said Duckworth post race.

“And yes, (with an) even run she might well have won again today, her grand final is a 2000-metre race, whereas Fangirl, she is actually a miler,” he added.