He's so good, it's scary!!!!!
Eurell Stunned By Apache Cat Gallop
Thursday, 16 August 2007: Apache Cat has turned in a career-best track gallop in preparation for Saturday’s $201,000 Aveo Live Well J.J.Liston Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
Greg Eurell
Photo by Racing and Sports
Danielle Ellett, the former jockey who has ridden Apache Cat in his work for more than three years, reported to trainer Greg Eurell that the big chestnut with the distinctive white face was “the best he has ever felt” in Tuesday's gallop at Cranbourne.
Eurell said nobody knows Apache Cat better that Ellett, who has been the gelding’s regular track rider from his first gallop as a two-year-old.
“It’s scary for Danielle to say the horse has never felt better to her,” Eurell said.
“She has been with the horse since the first day, so it’s significant."
Ellett worked Apache Cat on the sand track at Cranbourne.
Eurell said Apache Cat went strong pace work before sprinting his last 600 metres in 37 seconds.
Apache Cat had exercise work on the same track on Thursday morning.
Eurell said said Apache Cat appeared to have benefitted from his first-up win in the Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 4.
“He has a great record when second up and he loves Caulfield,” he said.
“Barrier seven is a bonus for him as he likes a bit of galloping room and to be able to blend into the race at his own tempo.”
The 11-horse field in the Liston Stakes is dominated by the "big three" of Apache Cat, Pompeii Ruler and Marasco.
Pompeii Ruler won the Liston when first-up last year but has not raced since he was unplaced in the Dubai Duty Free at Nad Al Sheba on March 31.
Pompeii Ruler went to Dubai after winning the G2 St George Stakes (1800m) and the G1 Australian Cup (2000m), both run at Caulfield.
Marasco returned to racing in Perth two weeks ago with a soft win in the Belmont Newmarket (1200m).
Marasco, in three autumn starts at Caulfield, was runner-up in the C.F.Orr Stakes (1400) and then twice second to Pompeii Ruler in the St George and the Australian Cup.
Champion Perth jockey Paul Harvey will ride Marasco in Melbourne for the first time on Saturday.
Trainer Fred Kersley said Marasco had travelled to Melbourne “better than expected” and had settled in well at Caulfield.
He said he had been surprised by the ease Marssco's three lengths win at Belmont when resuming.
“If he improves he will be exciting, if he doesn’t he will still be competitive,” he said.
The Caulfield track has been rated good despite more than 12mm of rain this week and showers forecast for Friday.
The rail has gone out to 7 metres for the first time since April.
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