Aeliana in fine fettle for upcoming Apollo Stakes run

Throughout her spring series, Aeliana took it up to Via Sistina in her opener, was beaten only by Mr Brightside on her second start, and took part in a Cox Plate, yet trainer Chris Waller was never entirely content with her.

Her racing displays were strong, but the leading handler acknowledged she lacked the right look.

"She ate well through the spring, her bloods were good, but she never looked well," Waller said.

"She looked light."

With no impact from her appearance on her feed intake or racing ability, Waller decided she must still be maturing.

A spell and paddock time later, she has reappeared roughly 15kg up and looking much sharper.

"I'm much happier. She's perfect," he said.

"She will be very hard to beat on Saturday, as we saw first-up in the Winx (Stakes) last spring. She almost beat Via (Sistina).

As long as we didn't overtax her. That's my only fear, but there was no sign of it. We pulled up after the Cox Plate, and she was a bit unlucky there."

The stable sends six runners to Saturday's Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick, including Aeliana, exciting mare Autumn Glow, and reliable gelding Lindermann.

Waller views that trio as the primary threats, expecting the others - Wootton Verni, Soul Of Spain and River Of Stars - to improve from the experience.

Aeliana and Lindermann sit third and fourth behind favourite Autumn Glow in betting, the gelding resuming after a productive spring with three victories in five goes.

The trainer urged punters to respect Lindermann more, especially under jockey Nash Rawiller.

"He's pretty forward because first and second-up is his chance to beat the better ones," Waller said.

"You've got Nash on, there's always a Nash factor. He can always pull something out of his hat."

With strong stable representation, consider the online bookmakers via Australian betting sites for Apollo Stakes options.

The post Aeliana the embodiment of health ahead of Apollo Stakes return first appeared on Just Horse Racing.