The $300,000 Group II ATC Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday is the traditional starting point for elite WFA horses seeking autumn glory in Sydney and the first three over the line are all trained by Chris Waller with the mighty Fangirl leading the way.
A brilliant winner of this race last year, Fangirl was partnered this time around by Jason Collett, who rode a perfect race on the six year-old daughter of Sebring.
With her stablemate Lindermann setting the pace up front she enjoyed a smooth transit back in the field sitting just in front of her Cox Plate winning rival Via Sistina (IRE), who became a little cluttered up on the fence.
Fangirl chimed in at the furlong and quickly gathered in Lindermann, who held second place ahead of the late surging Via Sistina, who started favourite with Ceolwulf a close up fourth.
Fangirl also won the Group II ATC Apollo Stakes last year with this victory taking her overall record to 10 wins and 10 placings from 30 starts with prizemoney of $8.9million.
“It’s very satisfying as she’s been a good horse for a very long time,” said assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth.
“She’s a jockey’s dream, she doesn’t pull, she’s a quirk free horse and an absolute darling to have in the camp.”
A homebred for the Ingham family, Fangirl was foaled and raised at Coolmore before being broken in and educated at their Jerry’s Plains headquarters as was the runner-up Lindermann.
She is the best of five winners from stakes-winning Encosta de Lago mare Little Surfer Girl, a daughter of triple Group I winner Special Harmony.
Little Surfer Girl has a two year-old filly by Wootton Bassett (GB) called Bella Wahine that is in training with Chris Waller and a yearling colt and weanling filly by Home Affairs to follow.
She was covered last spring by Wootton Bassett.
