Apulia Given Strong Chance in Australian Cup with William Pike Riding
Hayden King | The West Australian | Fri, 27 March 2026 4:47PM
Apulia is poised to make a significant impact in the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday, with trainers Will and JD Hayes seeking to extend the illustrious Lindsay Park legacy in this prestigious event. The Hayes brothers are aiming to join their sibling Ben on the honour roll of winners, a list that includes family members Colin Hayes, David Hayes, Peter Hayes, and Tom Dabernig, all of whom have triumphed with esteemed gallopers over the years.
Rising Form and Key Acquisition
The five-year-old entire, Apulia, has demonstrated remarkable improvement over the past six months, highlighted by a dominant three-length victory in the Perth Cup (2400m) on New Year's Day. Since being freshened after that landmark win, he has steadily built form with fifth-place finishes in the Blamey Stakes (1600m) and Peter Young Stakes (1800m), both behind the formidable Birdman. Further bolstering his prospects is the acquisition of William Pike, widely regarded as Western Australia's premier jockey, who has forgone a strong book of local rides to pilot Apulia in this feature race.
Despite initial scheduling uncertainties, with the fixture postponed to Wednesday following discussions between Perth Racing and Racing WA on Friday afternoon, Apulia remains a focal point for punters. He is currently priced at $10 in betting markets, trailing behind the favourite and previous vanquisher, Birdman, who stands at $3.40.
Strategic Gear Change and Trainer Confidence
In a strategic move, the Hayes brothers have opted for a gear change, fitting Apulia with blinkers for the first time in a while. Ben Hayes expressed optimism that this adjustment could provide the extra couple of lengths needed to challenge Birdman effectively. Reflecting on recent performances, Ben noted, "I thought we ran well behind him at Caulfield. He had the easier run than us, as we had to go wide. He's there to peak on Saturday. He loves Flemington and I think the 2000m is what he's looking for."
While acknowledging that the 2400m distance of the Perth Cup might be Apulia's optimal trip, Ben emphasized his competitiveness at 2000m, stating, "I think 2400m is his best trip with his win in the Perth Cup, and he was dominant, but at 2000m, he'll still be sharp enough and will be competitive. We're hopeful and I think he's a genuine top three chance in an Australian Cup, and it has been a good race to us over the years."
Lindsay Park's Rich History in the Australian Cup
Ben Hayes brings a distinguished record to the event, having secured the Australian Cup on three occasions as a young trainer in partnership with his father David and Tom Dabernig. Their victories include wins with Harlem in 2018 and 2019, and Fifty Stars in 2020, underscoring the family's deep connection to this race. This history adds an extra layer of anticipation as Apulia steps onto the track.
In the broader field, other contenders are also drawing attention. Tom Kitten, priced at $5, has already notched wins in the Heffernan Stakes (1400m) and the All Star Mile this campaign. He is closely followed in betting by Leica Lucy at $5 and Pride Of Jenni at $6, setting the stage for a highly competitive and thrilling edition of the Australian Cup.
