Foxsports....
Plate option for Cat
By Michael Manley
September 06, 2007
A COX Plate mission for underrated galloper Apache Cat could still be a possibility if he wins Saturday's Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
His trainer Greg Eurell said he may revise a campaign which concentrates on shorter races leading up to the Emirates Stakes (1600m) on the final day of the Victoria Racing Club Spring Carnival.
"If he won convincingly I suppose we would give the Cox Plate serious consideration. One thing is for sure, we are paying up for that race next week when the next entries are taken just in case," Eurell said.
He said he would also monitor how many horses were being set for next month's Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley.
Betstar has Apache Cat on the sixth line of betting at $21 for the Cox Plate.
Apache Cat has returned in devastating fashion this campaign
, winning the weight-for-age Bletchingly Stakes and Liston Stakes easily at his two starts.
Eurell said Apache Cat had missed one crucial track gallop because of the equine influenza lockdown but had not lost much fitness.
The trainer yesterday scoffed at suggestions Apache Cat was better suited at distances shorter than 1600m.
"He's won a Cadbury Guineas and a Blamey Stakes over 1600m. He also carried top-weight in last year's Doncaster and finished a close-up fifth after not having much luck," Eurell said.
Meanwhile, Thoroughbred Breeders Victorian chairman Mike Becker said the blood test from the stallions at the Eastern Creek and Spotswood quarantine centres had returned negative to equine influenza.
Becker said seven stallions had EI at Eastern Creek but were now cleared.