Following Ninja’s strong performance in the Missile Stakes just two weeks prior, stablemate Apocalyptic is set to make her own mark in the Toy Show Quality at Randwick, commencing her campaign with a similar objective.
Apocalyptic, who dominated the Princess Series as a three-year-old filly in the spring, did not meet expectations in her two autumn starts, leading trainer Michael Freedman to conclude her preparation early.
She is making her return to racing this Saturday, and her regular jockey, Tommy Berry, believes all indicators suggest Apocalyptic will regain the form she displayed a year ago.
“She’s had a really good break, very similar to Ninja,” Berry stated. “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 horses scratched early, the Toy Show Quality, contested over 1100m, now features seven competitors. However, it promises to be a challenging race, with the Surround Stakes runner-up Savvy Hallie also making her seasonal debut, while Prima Bella and Gatwick enter the race with the benefit of recent racing experience.
Both Apocalyptic and Savvy Hallie will be competing as mares for the first time, a transition Berry acknowledges can be demanding.
“They’re up against the older horses now so there’s nowhere to hide,” he remarked. “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 is also set to ride the Chris Waller-trained Fangirl in the Winx Stakes (1400m), marking the first time he has partnered the well-regarded mare since the 2022 Epsom Handicap. Hugh Bowman, based in Hong Kong, was initially slated for the ride but could not accommodate her weight and will instead ride stablemate Lindermann.
Fangirl has been a consistent presence in major carnivals over multiple seasons and benefits from residual fitness gained during a two-start winter campaign in Brisbane. Berry notes it’s unsurprising to see her still competing at the highest 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 commented. “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 is scheduled to compete in eight of the ten races at Randwick, including four for Waller, and is set to ride the favourite, Campione D’italia, in the Show County Quality (1200m). Consider the competitive racing odds available for the Toy Show Quality.