YEA!!!
Apache on to Sydney after Blamey win
Story By Jason Hickson
Saturday, 17 March 2007: Talented galloper Apache Cat brought up a winning hat-trick at Sandown today and will now target the Sydney autumn carnival.
The unusually-marked gelding, prepared by Greg Eurell, has raced below the top rung of races this campaign but has been a soft winner of all three.
After wins in the Memeres Stakes and Carlyon Cup he went into today’s Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) as an odds-on favourite.
After settling just off a very slow early pace, the tempo quickened as Lucky Unicorn overraced and was allowed to slide to join leader Red Dazzler.
That gave Damien Oliver and Apache Cat the perfect drop on his rivals, easing to the outside in the long straight before letting down strongly.
Bon Hoffa, who finished runner-up behind him last start, tried valiantly again but was no match for the favourite, finishing runner-up ahead of the fast finishing Molotov and Spinney.
Red Dazzler and Lucky Unicorn, who shared the lead around the turn, both dropped right out.
“He was a little agitated, a bit fresh after three weeks between runs,” Oliver said.
“He went keenly early but once there was some pace in the race he settled perfectly and then came into the race at the right time.
“It was a good win and I’d be very keen to stay with him.”
Apache Cat was a Group 1 winner of the Australian Guineas a year ago, then went to Sydney and won the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes before failing in the Doncaster Handicap.
Eurell is adamant he’s a far more seasoned horse this time in and doesn’t have to lead, as he did in the Doncaster before knocking up.
“It gives you a bit more confidence he’s not so one dimensional now,” Eurell said.
“He’s on his way to Sydney now and will head up on the 29th before the George Ryder on the 30th, then the Doncaster nine days later.”
In the Doncaster, at Randwick on Monday April 9th, he has 56.5kg.
http://www.racingandsports.com.au/ra...asp?NID=101192