Apulia wins the 2025 Ted Van Heemst Stakes for jockey William Pike
UPDATE: In a thrilling finish, Apulia has captured the $300,000 Ted Van Heemst at Ascot, propelling himself to the forefront of betting for the upcoming Perth Cup on January 1, 2024. Under the guidance of renowned jockey William Pike, Apulia delivered a spectacular performance, overcoming a sluggish start to clinch victory in the Group 2 race.
The dramatic race unfolded as Apulia, the $2.75 favorite, stumbled at the start, leaving him at the back of the pack. Meanwhile, Hoba West, a longshot at $18, took command early, maintaining a strong lead through the first half of the race. As the competitors approached the 400m mark, Hoba West surged ahead, seemingly in control with a two-length advantage. However, Pike executed a masterful tactical maneuver, guiding Apulia to the outside.
With a powerful burst of speed, Apulia closed the gap, ultimately overtaking Hoba West in the final 30m to secure victory by a margin of three-quarters of a length. This victory marks a significant turnaround for Apulia, who previously struggled with a seventh-place finish at the Northerly Stakes just two weeks ago.
A stable representative for Apulia’s team, Ammad Saleem, expressed confidence in the horse’s capabilities. “He’s thriving since he arrived here,” he stated. “After the last run, he came back really fantastic. We were really confident.” Despite the horse’s last-place position early in the race, Saleem noted that Pike’s experience was pivotal. “The plan was more like a midfield spot, but obviously when you’ve got Pikey on board, you come to expect that from him.”
Following this impressive win, Apulia is now the firm favorite at $2.90 for the Perth Cup, where he will carry 58.5kg. Saleem is optimistic about Apulia’s chances, declaring, “I don’t think the weight is going to worry him. He is already a Group 2 winner, and we think he is a genuine Group 1 horse.”
Pike, who celebrated his seventh victory in the Ted Van Heemst, admitted that he did not intend to fall so far back in the race. “I was hoping to hold box seat,” he said. “He’s unreliable in the barriers… but luckily for me, we got away with it.”
As race day approaches, Pike remains uncommitted to a ride for the Perth Cup, highlighting the tough decisions ahead. “I’m not booked for anything just yet… it’s hard to enjoy the wins when you’ve got decisions to make,” he said.
As fans and punters gear up for the Perth Cup, all eyes will be on Apulia to see if he can maintain this momentum and deliver another stunning performance. The excitement is palpable as the racing community anticipates what could be a historic run for the talented five-year-old.
