Can’t wait: Bring on the 2026 Perth Cup for Apulia
Interstate representation in the Perth Cup has thinned in recent seasons, but Apulia is carrying big expectations into Thursday’s 2026 edition.
The five-year-old entire has been installed as the $1.90 favourite for the Group 2 Perth Cup (2400m) and is delivering on promise once again after nearly a year away from racing.
Trainer Jd Hayes has been thrilled with the gelding’s progress, particularly with William Pike booked to ride.
“Can’t wait,” Hayes said.
“What a win last start and he has trained on nicely so bring on the Perth Cup.”
Apulia kicked off his preparation with a win over 1500m at Moonee Valley in October before taking the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes (1600m) at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week.
While the Perth Cup’s calendar slot can limit interstate participation, Hayes said the race fitted perfectly into Apulia’s campaign.
“The race has come along at the right time,” Hayes added.
“He showed that he was in very good form and it sits well to prepare him for the autumn. He spent long enough in the paddock.
“He has been airborne and it is a fun journey to have with him.”
The Western Australian leg of the campaign briefly stumbled when Apulia finished too far back in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes, but he returned to his best with a dominant win in the Group 2 Ted Van Heemst Stakes (2100m) on December 20.
That victory produced a Racing and Sports rating above 115, his highest since finishing second in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) in 2023.
Looking ahead, the Lindsay Park team could consider races such as the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) if Apulia performs to expectations.
The most recent interstate-trained Perth Cup winner was Peter Morgan’s Lords Ransom in 2010, while David Hayes went close in 2009 with The Fuzz.
Perth Cup betting markets can be viewed via the Australian betting sites list.
More Racing News
Melbourne Cup hopes boosted for Ciaron Maher runners after handicapping
Juja Kibo has taken a significant step towards a Melbourne Cup start, receiving a revised handicap following his impressive victory in The Metropolitan last Saturday.The chief handicapper for Racing Victoria, David Hegan, assigned the Ciaron Maher-trained stayer a 2kg penalty for the $10 million event, acknowledging his dominant 1-3/4-length win...
Crescent King set for Brian Crowley Stakes after Warwick Farm triumph
While Crescent King has not yet been tested in Saturday races, a commanding win at Warwick Farm on Monday could well have earned him a start in Stakes company.The Written Tycoon colt, a three-year-old, now boasts two wins from as many starts this preparation after he reeled in the speedy...
Attrition set for another tilt at the Hill Stakes
Mitch Freedman's primary focus at Flemington last Saturday was on the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes, which he claimed with Skybird, but he was also an interested observer of the Turnbull Stakes.The Ballarat trainer expressed his satisfaction at seeing Cosmic Crusader achieve a dominant 1-3/4-length victory in the 2000-metre Group 1...
Welcometotheshow primed for Toorak Handicap tilt
Trainer Tyler Donaldson-Aitken is preparing to mark a significant career milestone, readying his first Group 1 contender, Welcometotheshow.The race targeted for Welcometotheshow is the highly anticipated Toorak Handicap, a 1600-metre event at Caulfield this Saturday. This comes after the gelding secured his inaugural Stakes race victory at Flemington on September...
Flying For Fun targets Schillaci Stakes after impressive return
Bryce Heys has opted to keep Flying For Fun at shorter distances for now, with the mare's next start set to be in Melbourne for the Schillaci Stakes.The dual stakes winner is expected to be nominated for the 1100m sprint at Caulfield on Saturday. This comes after a promising return...
Close call as Skybird narrowly wins Gilgai Stakes
Depending on when you are reading this, trainer Mitchell Freedman and favourite backers may only just have exhaled as a unique characteristic nearly brought Skybird undone in the Gilgai Stakes at Flemington.Sent out the $2.90 market elect, Skybird looked set for an easy victory as jockey Ben Melham eased the...
Cosmic Crusader's Turnbull Stakes victory points to Cox Plate tilt
Pakenham trainer Andrea Leek has celebrated her most substantial success to date as Cosmic Crusader triumphed in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. Leek is now aiming for an even greater prize, hoping to return to headquarters for Australia's premier weight-for-age race, the Cox Plate, with the Perth-owned galloper.The prestigious Cox...
Premiere Stakes victory for Tempted seals Everest start
Tempted has made a powerful statement with her commanding win in the Premiere Stakes at Randwick, effectively securing her owner Godolphin's slot in The Everest and signalling her readiness to challenge Hong Kong's elite sprinter Ka Ying Rising.The official confirmation is awaited, but Tempted is expected to represent the global...
Mr Monaco books Melbourne Cup ticket with Flemington win
The Ciaron Maher stable has successfully gained another 'Golden Ticket' to the Melbourne Cup thanks to Mr Monaco's triumph at Flemington.Mr Monaco triumphed in the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday, thereby securing a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup (3200m) scheduled for November 3.Previously, Shockletz...
Sam Clipperton makes triumphant return with Group 2 Metropolitan win on Juja Kibo
Jockey Sam Clipperton marked his most significant success since his return from retirement by guiding Juja Kibo to victory in the Randwick staying feature, The Metropolitan, a race now designated as Group 2.Clipperton had stepped away from the saddle just over a year after his 2023 Everest triumph on Think...