Exciting colt Apollo’s Choice will step up to Group level for the first time when he contests the Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Apollo's Choice finished an unlucky fourth behind Dothraki at Flemington on Saturday and will return to the races in the Sandown Guineas this weekend. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Apollo’s Choice recorded impressive victories at Benalla and Kyneton before making his metropolitan racing debut at Flemington on Saturday when he finished a most unlucky fourth behind Dothraki in the Listed Hilton Hotels And Resorts Stakes (1400m).

Trainer Shea Eden admitted that he was disappointed with the result of the race but was delighted with the performance of his star colt, who he believes is good enough to be a contender at the highest level of racing.

“He had no luck at all,” Eden told RSN this morning.

“After the run we were disappointed but at the same time we were a little bit excited.

“We have waited a little while to have a young horse with as much ability as this fellow and hopefully he is a horse that could progress and take us to the next level.”

Apollo’s Choice was included in the acceptances for the Sandown Guineas that were released this morning and is set to have his second run in the space of seven days this Saturday.

Eden has a slight concern about backing up such a young and lightly-raced horse so quickly but said that the three-year-old had pulled up from his run in good order, and according to his team, was bouncing around the stable at Cranbourne this morning.

“I suppose it is always in the back of your mind but the horse came home and ate up,” Eden said.

“The only slight concern is that he isn’t an overly big horse and there is not a lot there to strip off but he is a young colt and is pretty lively.

“The team at home yesterday said that he is more than lively enough and we are happy enough with him.”

Apollo’s Choice was ridden by Chris Symons at Flemington last weekend but will be partnered by leading provincial rider Brad Rawiller, who rode the three-year-old at Kyneton, in the Sandown Guineas on Saturday.

Rawiller told RSN that he is really looking forward to reuniting with Apollo’s Choice and rates the classy colt an excellent winning chance in the Group 2 event.

“I am really looking forward to Saturday,” Rawiller said.

“He was outstanding when I won on him at Kyenton, he showed a great turn of foot and he was obviously a bit stiff the other day at Flemington.

“I’m due to draw a good barrier on Saturday and he is a super chance.”

The Sandown Guineas has drawn a strong set of acceptances; with Apollo’s Choice set to face the classy Darley duo of Paximadia and Champollion as well as Group 1 placegetter Equator and Anthony Cummings-trained Best Case.