Apostrophe out to make a mark in Travis Stakes

• Published date: 26 April 2024
• Author: Michael Guerin
• Publication title: New Zealand Herald, The (Auckland, New Zealand)

And with Apostrophe in the $150,000 Travis Stakes and December as favourite for the $100,000 Inglis Breeders the James/Wellwood stable could do that at Te Rapa tomorrow

The Cambridge trainers had a stunning season headlined by Karaka Millions and Derby winner Orchestral but supported by the now Melbourne Cup-qualified Mark Twain and a deep bench of stayers and three-year-olds.

Like many northern trainers, they are getting ready to power down their team for winter after the next two Saturdays at Te Rapa but realise tomorrow boasts some serious races.

“They are ideal races for horses like Apostrophe and December at this stage of their preps,” says Robert Wellwood, who trains with Roger James.

Apostrophe is the $1.75 favourite for the Travis after winning the Manawatū Breeders Stakes under similar conditions last start, including beating key rival Diss Is Dramatic.

“We had been waiting to get her up to middle distance and she loved it last start,” says Wellwood.

“Her finish has always been her biggest asset so now she is up to 2000m [2100m last start] she should be right where she needs to be.

“Her work this week has been as good as she has ever worked and we think she will be very hard to beat.”

Apostrophe comes in ideally under the weight-for-age conditions as a rating 95 mare carrying the same weight as others rated as low at R64 but the other horse, aside from Diss Is Dramatic, who seems to be in her class is Saint Alice.

She will also appreciate the step back up to 2000m and...