Impressive Apollo Victory For Contributer

Contributer could not have been more impressive in winning the Group Two Optus Apollo Stakes at Royal Randwick, Australia, on Saturday, February 14, racing over seven furlongs for the first time since debut.

The five-year-old, who has triumphed four times at 10 furlongs, was ridden calmly by James McDonald and travelled well throughout the race.

He was slightly slow into stride and settled in eighth of the 14 runners as a good pace was set up front.

Contributer came wide into the straight and was asked to improve with one and a half furlongs left.

The response was immediate and a great run took him to the front with a half-furlong remaining before coasting home for a one-and-a-half-length verdict over Ninth Legion in 1m 22.09s on good ground.

His trainer John O'Shea declared: "Contributer travelled comfortably throughout and, once asked to quicken, he showed a very good turn of foot to put this race to bed.

"He was very impressive to win at this trip and first up for his preparation. He will now head to the Chipping Norton Stakes (Group One, Warwick Farm, 1m, February 28) in a fortnight."

James McDonald added: "He relaxed beautifully and then went through the gears."