Punters Taking Sides in Via vs Ceolwulf - Don't forget FannyG

Breednet - Wednesday February 12

Saturday racing at Randwick sees some of the biggest of the autumn carnival big guns firing their first shots, and hours after the fields were declared the markets were offering up an opinion, with plenty of love for Via Sistina in the Apollo Stakes.

There's a lot of love for Via Sistina in her autumn return

The Ceolwulf vs Via Sistina is being touted as an autumn rivalry for Australia’s best horse after Ceolwulf’s spring campaign was ended after his win in the King Charles III Stakes, passing on a Cox Plate tilt where Via Sistina famously produced her historical eight length demolition.

Advertisement

The barrier trial leading into this weekend’s race, where both took part, only served to enhance the anticipation and importantly it also included Fangirl, another Apollo runner, who is hardly one to be dismissed lightly.

The early markets have seen Via Sistina pounced upon, opening $2.40 and firming to $2.10.

Ceolwulf opened $3.20 and sits at $3.60 after reaching $3.80.

Fangirl opened $4.00 and eased slightly to $4.20.

In other races Golden Slipper equal second favourite Pallaton is the flavour of the day in the Pierro Plate, opening $3.20 and quickly into a red-hot $2.30.

The Michael Freedman trained Wootton Bassett colt created a big impression winning easily over 1000m at Randwick on debut in December.

Another interesting runner in the Pierro Plate is first starter Skyhook.

The Ryan/Alexiou trained Written Tycoon colt created a big impression winning his only trial in fast time at Rosehill on Feb 3 and after opening $8.50 sits at $8.00.

The other feature race is the Light Fingers Stakes which sees the anticipated return of Flight Stakes winner Lady Shenandoah, taking on Lady Of Camelot and Manaal.

Lady Of Camelot opened $4.40 and has met with plenty of confidence, in to $3.20.

Lady Shenandoah opened $2.80, currently $3.10, while Manaal opened $6.00 and sits at $5.00.

Saturday is not the target day for any of these horses but it’s the first chance to shine a light on how they are really shaping for those targets.

Click here for the form.

Also have a listen to our Tara Talks Racing Podcast - Tara is having none of the Via, Ceolwulf rivarly, she's Team FannyG!

Advertisment
More Reading...
First Foal for Hilal Delights Grangewilliam Stud
The first foal by Grangewilliam Stud’s Group Two winner and multiple Group One performer Hilal arrived on Thursday morning with a filly born out of the well-related No Nay Never mare La Frox.
Racing’s Night of Champions August 28
45 of the top horses in Australia will be recognised for outstanding performances during the 2024/2025 racing season at Racing’s Night of Champions.
One to Watch – Geelong
Team Hawkes were the guiding force behind the racing career of Group I ATC Doncaster Mile winner Brutal and have also prepared his first Group I winner as a sire in Nepotism and they unleashed a debut winner by him at Geelong on Friday.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday August 6
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Ozzmosis First Born is Feeling Frisky!
Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Ozzmosis was in demand at Newgate last spring covering 192 mares and his first born foal that arrived on July 31 at Alma Vale Thoroughbreds is the source of great pride for owners Ian and Cathy Mathieson.
First Foal for Golden Mile – Now a Gelding
The Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas has been won in recent years by colts that have gone on to become some of our most exciting young sires - The Autumn Sun, Super Seth and Ole Kirk, but for the 2022 winner Golden Mile that path is not an option.
Wootton Bassett Set to Blast Out of Winter
Many people may have anticipated Wootton Bassett (GB) would have been our Champion Australian First Season Sire last season and while that didn’t quite eventuate, he did finish the season with a wealth of horses holding spring potential and several were in action at the trials this morning.
Breeders Paradise - Inglis Digital August (early) Online
An abundance of high-quality broodmares – many in foal to some of the hottest young stallions in the Southern Hemisphere – and broodmare prospects headline a “breeders’ paradise’’ in the Inglis Digital August (Early) Online Sale.
First Godolphin Winner for Maher
Champion trainer Ciaron Maher saddled his first winner for Godolphin at Kembla on Thursday and he did it with a blue-blood colt by Too Darn Hot (GB).
Above the Clouds Wins $100,000 Polytrack Championship
It proved to be a long but fruitful day for Kelly Myers on Friday, with the now Central Districts-based hoop riding home Above The Clouds to win the $100,000 TAB Polytrack Championship (2000m) at Cambridge for local trainer Ralph Manning.