RACE COMMENT

OVERVIEW: APOLLOSTORM (3) is a lightly-raced but smart pacer from the Emma Stewart stable that returns to the races for the first time since August last year. He only ran twice in his most recent preparation for a big win at Geelong and midfield finish at Melton when parked in a fast 1720m event won by Always Be Blakey. He stepped out recently at the trials and closed hard for second behind Luvtobeuptome, who we have seen come out and win a good three-year-old race since. He looks like the leader, and from there the likely winner. I’ve got a lot of time for ROCKNROLL WISH (6) and would have tipped him on top had he drawn inside APOLLOSTORM (3). Craig Demmler’s charge was a brilliant first-up victor at Bendigo and took out the final of that series with a similarly good performance in fast time at Maryborough. He’s come from off speed in both his wins this campaign and looks a serious horse. The rest of these would surprise, but THE GOLDEN HOOK (5) has been hitting the line well in recent starts and OUR BELLA LUCIA (1) is shooting for three in-a-row and gets the nice gate.