Apollo Stakes field and barrier draw: Dream start to Sydney carnival racing in 2025

The racing is hotting up in Sydney with seven Group 1 winners set to clash in Saturday’s headline event, the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.

Australia’s best horse Via Sistina will be back in action at Randwick on Saturday in the Apollo Stakes. Photo: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

The racing is hotting up in Sydney with seven Group 1 winners set to clash in Saturday’s headline event, the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.

A field of eight was declared for the weight-for-age contest which marks the unofficial start to the Sydney summer and autumn carnival.

The equal highest rated turf horse in the world, Via Sistina is set to make her 2025 return when she clashes with King Charles III Stakes winner Ceolwulf and last year’s Apollo Stakes winner Fangirl.

Other Group 1 winners in Saturday’s star-studded field are Arapaho, Lindermann, Atishu and Zardozi while the other runner in the race is up-and-comer Golden Path.

The field and barrier draw for the Apollo Stakes (Race 8 at 4.45pm) is;

No. – Horse – Trainer – Jockey – Barrier – Weight

1 – CEOLWULF – Joseph Pride – Chad Schofield – 7 – 59kg

2 – ARAPAHO – Bjorn Baker – Ashley Morgan – 6 – 59kg

3 – LINDERMANN – Chris Waller – Nash Rawiller – 5 – 59kg

4 – GOLDEN PATH – Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) – Tyler Schiller – 2 – 59kg

5 – VIA SISTINA – Chris Waller – Kerrin McEvoy – 3 – 57kg

6 – FANGIRL – Chris Waller – Jason Collett – 4 – 57kg

7 – ATISHU – Chris Waller – Zac Lloyd – 8 – 57kg

8 – ZARDOZI – James Cummings – Tim Clark – 1 – 57kg

The stars are out at Warwick Farm this morning⭐️

1️⃣ CEOLWULF
2️⃣ VIA SISTINA
3️⃣ FANGIRL

🎥: @SkyRacingAUpic.twitter.com/jlMiOmo4zP

— Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) January 29, 2025

🚨 ICYMI 🚨

The champ is back!

VIA SISTINA had her first trial back this morning at Warwick Farm and was definitely the eye-catcher down the outside under @LaneDamian 👀

Also in the trial
- LADY SHENANDOAH
- CEOWULF
- BIRDMAN@cwallerracing | @racing_nswpic.twitter.com/8Ry8QdQpgn

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 20, 2025

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Another three Group races will be conducted at Randwick on Saturday.

The Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) is now run under set weights and penalties conditions with a small but select field of six including Group 1 winning mares Magic Time and Joliestar as well as Group 2 winning sprinters Airman and Olentia.

Irish Group 3 winner Givemethebeatboys adds further interest in his Australian debut.

There’s three Group 1 winners set to line up among a field of 15 in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m).

The three-year-old fillies feature is headlined by Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot, ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Manaal and Flight Stakes winner Lady Shenandoah.

Rounding out the black-type action at Randwick is the Group 3 Triscay Stakes (1200m) where there are 10 acceptors.

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The Randwick track was rated a soft (6) at acceptance time. The rail will be in the 4-metre position on Saturday.

Saturday’s 10-race program commences at 11.40am with the final event to be run at 5.10pm.

The Bureau Of Meteorology forecast for Sydney is.

Wednesday – Mostly sunny (60% chance of 0-6mm of rain). 28.

Thursday – Partly cloudy (60% chance of 0-7mm of rain). 29.

Friday – Mostly sunny. 30.

Saturday – Partly cloudy (70% chance of 0-10mm of rain). 28.

CLICK HERE to get the fields and free formguide for the Randwick meeting on Saturday.

Originally published as Apollo Stakes field and barrier draw: Dream start to Sydney carnival racing in 2025