Apulia out to make up for lost time in Northerly Stakes
Ben Hayes believes comeback entire Apulia (Fiorente) can continue making up for lost time and prove his class beyond doubt when he lines up in Saturday’s Northerly Stakes (Gr 1, 1800m) at Ascot.
Half-owned by Team Hayes and his Victorian co-breeders Revelstone Stud, Apulia’s path so far has been a chequered one, explaining why the five-year-old has still only had 16 starts.
He ran a two-length second to Veight (Grunt) in the 2023 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) in his three-start first preparation.
He returned in the spring to take Moonee Valley’s Vase (Gr 2, 2040m) by two lengths, and run a brave 0.1 length second in the VRC Derby (Gr 1, 2500m), when he raced midfield on the fence inside eventual winner Riff Rocket (American Pharoah), was cluttered for room early in the straight, and came on an inside run.
Apulia had a quiet third campaign in the autumn of 2024 before looking like living up to his promise last spring, with a narrow second in the MVRC VOBIS Gold Star (1500m) and a 0.56 length third in Flemington’s Cup Day Plate (Listed, 1800m).
But disaster struck, with Apulia suffering a tendon injury that might have ended his career.
After a year off and careful management, however, the entire has come back for two wins from as many starts. First-up he powered home from last of eight to go one better than last year in the VOBIS Gold Star, scoring by 0.5 lengths. He followed with a 0.3 length win in Flemington’s Chester Manifold Stakes (Listed, 1600m) on November 6.
Those efforts have elevated him to second among the offspring of 2013 Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) hero Fiorente (Monsun), who died in 2023.
Admittedly, it’s not a hot field, with 11 stakes winners headed by the Group 2-winning Lunar Flare, but in any case, Hayes feels Apulia has an undeniable chance to shoot to the top of that list as he tackles weight-for-age for the first time in the Northerly, and steps up to a trip his co-trainer feels he’ll relish.
“We couldn’t be happier with him,” Hayes told ANZ News.
“He arrived over there more than two weeks ago and settled in really well. He had a tick-over barrier trial last week and he’s really come through it nicely. He did his final piece of work on Tuesday, and all reports are he went great.
“He’ll be genuine, and he’ll love the 1800 metres.”
The only slight drawback is Apulia and Michael Dee will jump from gate 13 of 16 if the emergency comes out. Then again, that could work in his favour.
“He can settle in a midfield-to-back position. Without having checked the speed map yet, I imagine we’ll look to find a bum and be three-wide with cover,” Hayes said.
“But he’s a horse we find is better with a bit of room. When he was a colt, he used to have a bit of a think. If you look at his Derby run, if he gets to the outside he probably gets his nose down over Riff Rocket.
“I think he’ll have room on Saturday, and we just need a bit of luck in running, and to follow the right horses.”
Hayes, who trains with brothers JD and Will, said Apulia’s serious tendon injury had created “the potential for not running again”.
“But we did the right rehab and followed the process and he’s got back to the track, so we can not complain,” he said.
At least Apulia’s time off has afforded him the dual attributes of being mature yet lightly raced.
“He used to race in blinkers because he used to think a lot,” Hayes said. “But since he’s come back, he’s a lot more genuine, and is enjoying his racing. We haven’t had to put the blinkers back on him – he’s just been racing so well.
“He’s ended up being a very lightly raced five-year-old entire, and he’s also had that natural maturity.”
Hayes paid tribute to Revelstone’s Garrett family for their patience, “which is now paying off”.
Apulia is the first foal out of their mare Giannarelli (High Chaparral), who’s also supplied Team Hayes with four-year-old mare Eyes Wide Shut (Pride Of Dubai), a bush maiden winner so far, and the yet-to-race filly Aradeo (Nicconi).
The eldest Hayes brother believes Apulia will be suited by WFA, adding “he’s got a high rating of 106 now, so he’s got to run in weight-for-age anyway”.
And while he has an appropriate level of respect for unbeaten Perth three-year-old King Of Light (Earthlight) – the $2.50 favourite who Perth’s leading jockey Willie Pike has chosen to ride – he feels Apulia, at $21, has a definite chance to become the first stallion to win the Northerly since Stratum Star (Stratum) in 2016.
It would also be the first victory in the event for Lindsay Park since Niconero (Danzero) won it for the Hayes brothers’ father David in 2006 and 2008.
“You always respect young horses with light weights,” Hayes said of King Of Light, who won the WA Guineas (Gr 2, 1600m) last start, and has 52 kilograms and barrier eight.
“He was impressive with his Guineas win, definitely. And the top jockey over there has decided to ride him, so you definitely respect the horse.
“But I think Apulia is a genuine top three or four chance, and I’ll be very happy if he wins, though it’s hard to be confident in a Group 1.”
Hayes said depending on Saturday’s outcome, Apulia might stay in the west for the Perth Cup (Gr 2, 2400m) on New Year’s Day, before readying for the autumn.