Just as Ninja made a statement with his Missile Stakes win two weeks ago, stablemate Apocalyptic will be on a mission to do the same when she launches her campaign in the Toy Show Quality at Randwick.
Dominant in the Princess Series as a spring three-year-old, Apocalyptic performed below expectations in two autumn runs, prompting trainer Michael Freedman to cut short her preparation.
She makes her seasonal return on Saturday and regular rider, Tommy Berry, says all the signs point to Apocalyptic recapturing her form of 12 months ago.
“She’s had a really good break, very similar to Ninja,” Berry said.
“Michael has decided to treat her more like a sprinter this preparation and you can tell. She’s been trialling sharply, and her work has been very sharp.
“The only thing I didn’t really want was to draw in with her because she does like a bit of room, and she has drawn perfect in six.
“There won’t be any excuses Saturday. She’s in great order.”
With two early scratchings, the Toy Show Quality (1100m) has been reduced to seven runners, but it promises to be a tough assignment with Surround Stakes placegetter Savvy Hallie also making her reappearance, while Prima Bella and Gatwick head there with the advantage of race fitness.
Both Apocalyptic and Savvy Hallie will be racing for the first time as mares and Berry admits that can be a difficult transition.
“They’re up against the older horses now so there’s nowhere to hide,” he said.
“She’s got to step up and show she is up to some of the better races.
“The world is her oyster. We know what we’ve got at home with her, but you like to see them come back and tick that first box, a bit like Ninja did against the older horses.”
Berry reunites with the Chris Waller-trained Fangirl in the Winx Stakes (1400m), the first time he has ridden the popular mare since the 2022 Epsom Handicap (1600m).
Hong Kong-based Hugh Bowman had been pencilled in for the mount but wasn’t able to make her weight, and will partner stablemate Lindermann instead.
Fangirl has been a mainstay of the major carnivals over several seasons and carries residual fitness from a two-start winter campaign in Brisbane, and Berry says it’s no surprise to see her still competing at the elite level as an eight-year-old.
“That’s Chris Waller. He can get long preparations out of them, and he can get longevity out of them, especially his fillies and mares,” Berry said.
“Via Sistina, he did a great job with her. He won a Melbourne Cup with Verry Elleegant.
“It’s one of his biggest strengths, so it’s no surprise to see her doing the same.”
Berry has rides in eight of the 10 races at Randwick, four for Waller including favourite Campione D’italia in the Show County Quality (1200m).
