Triple Group One winner Danleigh is following the same path this autumn as last year, hopefully with a repeat result in Saturday's Apollo Stakes at Rosehill.The seven-year-old goes into his defence of the Group Two race off a fourth in the Expressway in which he finished last of five runners in 2010.Trainer Chris Waller is pleased with how Danleigh has done since his Expressway run behind Centennial Park, Love Conquers All and Hot Danish and the gelding will face all three again over his pet dis
Triple Group One winner Danleigh is following the same path this autumn as last year, hopefully with a repeat result in Saturday's Apollo Stakes at Rosehill.
The seven-year-old goes into his defence of the Group Two race off a fourth in the Expressway in which he finished last of five runners in 2010.
Trainer Chris Waller is pleased with how Danleigh has done since his Expressway run behind Centennial Park, Love Conquers All and Hot Danish and the gelding will face all three again over his pet distance of 1400 metres.
"He ran an excellent race first-up," Waller said.
"He got a bit tired the last part and he still has improvement in him but he's getting close to peak fitness and he will at least keep them all honest on Saturday."
Stablemate Metal Bender will join Danleigh in the Apollo which will be his first start since he suffered a bleeding attack in the Mackinnon Stakes in October but Waller said he was not expecting too much.
"He is not as forward as he has been at the start of previous preparations," Waller said.
"We are training him differently to look after him so he is not as sharp as he has been in the past."
Hot Danish was posted the $2.70 favourite in TAB Sportsbet's first markets ahead of Love Conquers All ($4.40), Melito ($4.80) and Danleigh ($9).
Melito is returning after a lacklustre spring with trainer Gerald Ryan happy with her progress this autumn.
She will be ridden by Brenton Avdulla with regular partner Corey Brown to ride Centennial Park who is at $9.50 despite his last-start win.
Danleigh's win in the 2010 George Ryder Stakes began a remarkable sequence for Waller who goes to Rosehill having trained at least one winner at the past 22 Saturday meetings on his home track.
Although he would love to see Danleigh continue the streak, Waller believes his best chances come in the Paramatta Cup (2000m) where he is represented by Hawk Island, Beijing Boy and Alexander Of Hales.
"We've got a few chances on Saturday but I think the best is in the Paramatta Cup where we have three realistic hopes," he said.
"Hawk Island has a class edge, he's been there and done it.
"Beijing Boy looks looks like a 2000-metre specialist and Alexander Of Hales also looks as if that is his best distance."