Apulia on target for G1 Victoria Derby assault
Lindsay Park galloper Apulia has shown his Victoria Derby credentials with a strong win in a lead up contest at Moonee Valley.
Apulia took out the Group 2 The Vase (2040m) on Saturday to provide the perfect launch pad into the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington next week.
Providing Mark Zahra with the third leg of a winning treble and Lindsay Park trainers Ben, Will and J D Hayes a second winner on Cox Plate Day, Apulia ($4.20) registered a two length win from the $2.45 betting sites favourite Verdad with Air Assault ($4.60) a further 1-½ lengths away third.
Apulia was backing up from running fourth at Caulfield last week and if he heads on to the Derby will be racing for the third time in as many weeks.
“He really appreciated the quick back-up,” J D Hayes said.
“He was on the back up from a slow pace last week and he was doing a few things wrong.
“He’s a big strong colt and he was really tough today and it was a ten-out-of-ten ride from Mark Zahra.”
Apulia is part-owned by now Hong Kong based trainer David Hayes, the father of the three trainers, and made the trip to Melbourne to watch Apulia land the prize.
Hayes said his father, along with the Garrett family who own the other half of Apulia, were supportive of backing up into Saturday’s race with the aim of heading to the Derby in a weeks’ time.
“There was an influence with the 50 per-cent ownership with Dad, and the Garretts were fully supportive as well,” Hayes said.
“We bred him and race him in conjunction with the Garretts and it is such a huge result.”
Hayes said Apulia be a handful at the barriers but was on his best behaviour in the gates on Saturday.
“He must have known the big boss was here today, as we all do,” Hayes said.
“He got his manners perfect.
“When Dad’s around we all have to be on our best behaviour.”
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Tony Gollan’s two-year-old Itching To Go in 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Tony Gollan is leaning on a proven strategy as Itchintogo lines up on a seven-day backup in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) this Saturday. The approach has delivered strong results historically, with six winners of the $3 million race following the same path over the past 15 years. Purchased for $60,000...