The spotlight was on Cox Plate winner Via Sistina and the rising star Ceolwulf, but it was the seasoned Fangirl who emerged victorious in the Group Two Apollo Stakes at Randwick.

While the jockeys of Via Sistina and Ceolwulf were locked in battle at the top of the straight, Jason Collett aboard Fangirl took advantage, sprinting away to claim the 1400m race.

Charlie Duckworth, assistant to trainer Chris Waller, praised Fangirl’s quiet yet effective racing style, noting that punters backed her into a $3.70 second favourite.

“Fangirl has been a champion for about three years. She does her own thing early and flies home, which sometimes makes people take her for granted,” Duckworth said. “She was hard to peg back today.”

While it was Fangirl’s day, Via Sistina and Ceolwulf still impressed with their strong finishes, with Lindermann ($17) holding second, a length behind Fangirl, and Via Sistina ($2.10 fav) just ahead of Ceolwulf ($4.80).

Duckworth pointed out that although Via Sistina won the Winx Stakes over 1400m last spring, the distance was more suited to Fangirl, whose ideal range is closer to a mile.

Jason Collett, who rode Fangirl to victory, felt confident when he had Via Sistina to his inside and Ceolwulf behind him.

“I just had to wait, knowing I had the best turn of foot over 1400,” Collett said.

The top four from the Apollo Stakes are set to clash again in the Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) in two weeks. After that, Waller will likely split Fangirl and Via Sistina for their respective campaigns, with Fangirl eyeing the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) and All-Star Mile (1600m), while Via Sistina is likely to target the Ranvet Stakes (2000m) en route to the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).