Randwick Turf Talk for 2025 Apollo Stakes Day on Saturday: X-factor filly to cause an upset

Ray Thomas and Mitch Cohen are both going against the favourite in Saturday’s Apollo Stakes at Royal Randwick. Get their best bets for the 10-race card.

Racenet and The Daily Telegraph’s Mitch Cohen and Shayne O’Cass debate all the key chances on Apollo Stakes Day at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

• Exclusive: Anthony Cummings given seven days to depart Leilani Lodge

Ray Thomas: Shayno is taking a well-deserved break – the guy works 24/7 so he won’t know what to do with himself this week – which means you are stuck with me, Mitchy. This is a cracking meeting at Randwick on Saturday and the Apollo Stakes should be a beauty.

Mitch Cohen: As you’re replacing Shayno, I hope you’ve found a few roughies for the punters. I can’t wait for the Apollo! Ceolwulf versus Via Sistina and more!

WHAT A QUEEN!💗

Fangirl has returned in dominant style in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes under @mcacajamez for @cwallerracing. pic.twitter.com/lAR3bHMbpH

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 17, 2024

• ‘She looks such a brute at the moment’: Warning to Via Sistina’s Apollo rivals

Thomas: I’ve gone with Fangirl in the Apollo. The 1400m at Randwick just might suit her first-up more than Via Sistina and Ceolwulf but what a race. Trainer Chris Waller can get the feature race double with Joliestar in the Expressway Stakes.

Cohen: I’ll agree with you on Joliestar but it might be hard for him to get the feature double when Ceolwulf wins the Apollo. I think he’s in for a huge autumn campaign and might just stamp himself as the best horse in Sydney.

It's all about Shohisha in the Midway at Rosehill!@KPMcEvoy | @DPayneRacing | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/fAmkQA3qg6

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 18, 2025

• Seven international raiders revealed for The Championships

Thomas: The Light Fingers Stakes is another enthralling contest. Interesting move to put the blinkers on Lady Of Camelot. She has not run a bad race all season without winning, the gear change could be decisive, the set weights and barrier draw suits her, and she has a race fitness edge. Have I talked you into her?

Cohen: You’ve made a solid case. I’ve got her in the numbers but gone looking elsewhere for my top selection. Shohisha may only be coming out of a Midway victory but she probably should have won the Listed Gosford Guineas before that. She’s got X-factor.

"Oh, she's really good isn't she!"

That's four from four for @Paulmessara & @LGavranich's Clear Thinking as she wins what promises to be a strong @tabcomau Highway at Randwick holding off a brave Highway Strip with Joiselle third. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/oors03AhuM

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) January 25, 2025

• Dutton determined to erase photo finish agony

Thomas: From a Highway to a Group 3 Triscay Stakes is normally a bridge too far but we don’t know how good Clear Thinking is yet. She’s unbeaten, has a tremendous will-to-win and drops 7kg for Saturday. She’s short enough in betting but I can’t tip against her, Mitchy.

Cohen: I am. There’s no doubt she’s a classy animal and a valuable one at that. This is different gravy though and I struggle to get her enthusiastic at the price. Commemorative is the one for me. She flies fresh.

That's a BIG win to Pallaton at Randwick! 🙌@MFreedmanRacing | @TommyBerry21 | @aus_turf_club | @CoolmoreAuspic.twitter.com/txZneOdLTi

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 21, 2024

• Ray Thomas’ Randwick Saturday tips, race-by-race analysis

Thomas: We will also see how good Pallaton is in the Pierro Plate. It’s a top field of two-year-olds but the race tempo and barrier draw suits this promising colt. Did you realise Pallaton’s half-brother is Yiska and he could also win again later in the program.

Cohen: No disrespect to Yiska but I think his brother might have been blessed with a bit more talent. I really like him and reckon he can back up his debut win last year.

Simply flying! Perfumist makes it four wins in a row 👏@BBakerRacing | @G1TySchil | @OTIRacing | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/2w5yXKmS1N

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 18, 2025

• Albury on high alert as Swayzee rolls into town

Thomas: What’s your best of the day? I’m going with “Last Race, Bjorn” and his promising filly, Perfumist in the closer. She is airborne.

Cohen: I’ve also made her best bet Ray! Give her strength.

Originally published as Randwick Turf Talk for 2025 Apollo Stakes Day on Saturday: X-factor filly to cause an upset