Apache wins Liston battle
Story By Jason Hickson
Saturday, 18 August 2007: Top galloper Apache Cat broke a long drought for favourite backers with a strong win in today’s feature race at Caulfield – the Liston Stakes.
The last favourite to salute in the key spring feature was Mahogany in the mid nineties and after an early hiccup with the well supported Apache Cat, punters had little to fear in the run to the line.
Apache Cat wasn’t the best away but quickly mustered speed to settle third in the box seat for Michael Rodd, behind Live In Vain and Maldivian, before cruising up to that pair in the straight.
West Australian galloper Marasco worked home hard to finish a closing second but Rodd was easy on Apache Cat on the line to bring up his second win from as many starts this season.
Maldivian held on well for third, while Pompeii Ruler worked home into fourth.
“He’s got to stop missing the start – it’s not good for my heart,”
quipped trainer Greg Eurell.
“He probably got to the front a little early but Michael didn’t have to punish him.”
Eurell is yet to finalise the spring plans for Apache Cat but is likely to press towards the Group 2 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington when racing returns there on September 8.
It was a mixed day for Eurell, who not only won the Liston with Apache Cat but also the Vain Stakes with talented three-year-old Shrewd Rhythm.
No sooner had the colt cooled down that news emerged he would be leaving Eurell’s stable to be transferred to David Hayes.
In the deal the smart three-year-old will be prepared by Hayes before standing at stud at Linsday Park following his racing career.
Eurell said he would be sad to see the colt go but will follow his career with interest.