the Cat is Back on Sat

[my miss storm cat]

Eurell Considers Kelt Stakes For Apache Cat
Story By Chris Scholtz


Thursday, 23 August 2007: A New Zealand option has opened up for Melbourne weight-for-age star Apache Cat following his unbeaten start to his spring campaign.

Trainer Greg Eurell is considering paying the late entry fee to place Apache Cat in New Zealand's richest race, the $NZ2 million Kelt Stakes (2040m) at Hastings on October 6.

"We are certainly putting it in the mix," Eurell said after assessing program options following Apache Cat's victory over Marasco in last Saturday's Liston Stakes at Caulfield.

Late entries for the Kelt Stakes close next Wednesday at a fee of $NZ15,000 but there is a later deadline on September 24 at a cost of $NZ45,000.

Eurell said Apache Cat will have his next start over 1600m in the $500,00 Makybe Diva (Craiglee) Stakes at Flemington on September 8 when his spring path will become much clearer.

Apache Cat has failed in his only two starts beyond 1600m but has the $350,000 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on September 22 and the $500,000 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 6 as other possibilities after the Makybe Diva.

Eurell also has to consider the Randwick mile double of $400,000 George Main Stakes and $600,000 Epsom Handicap on September 29 and October 6 as another alternative for Apache Cat.

Apache Cat failed in the Turnbull Stakes and W.S. Cox Plate when tried beyond 1600m last spring.

He has since won five of his seven starts this year over distances from 1200m to 1600m.