Hopes of getting Apache Chase a slot in The Everest didn’t come to fruition, but trainer Desleigh Forster figures he only needs to replicate his Premiere Stakes run to be a live chance of snagging a $2 million consolation prize.
Apache Chase resumed in the Premiere Stakes in a bid to advertise his Everest credentials, but his chances were thwarted when he struck an unsuitable heavy track.
Despite the conditions, he held on for fifth to Lost And Running, beaten less than two lengths in an effort that augurs well for his chances in Saturday’s Sydney Stakes (1200m), which has had a massive prizemoney boost from $500,000 to $2 million this year.
“All he’s got to do is take his Premiere run to the races and he’s going to be very competitive,” Forster said.
“He only got beaten a length-and-a-half behind the very best sprinters on a track he doesn’t like.
“He’s drawn a good gate (five) and the horse has definitely come on since his Premiere run, so we’re pretty excited.”
Apache Chase has an outstanding second-up record with three wins from five attempts, including a decision over Paulele in the Group 1 Kingsford-Smith Cup in May.
Forster took him back to Queensland after his first-up effort and said the horse had continued to thrive between races.
Jim Byrne again makes the trip to Sydney to stick with the five-year-old, who is a natural, on-speed runner, although Forster says the gelding is versatile enough to adapt to the pace of the race.
She will see how he performs on Saturday before making future plans but the Nature Strip Stakes (1300m) on October 29 and next month’s The Hunter at Newcastle (1300m) are among the options for Apache Chase.
“There are also a couple of sprint races in Melbourne for him, so we’ll get through Saturday and work out where we’re going after that,” Forster said.
Punters believes the Premiere Stakes is the right formline for the Sydney Stakes with Kementari, who finished fourth in the Premiere, a $4 TAB fixed odds favourite and Apache Chase high in commission at $6.
Only In The Congo, who is coming off an unplaced first-up run in the McEwen Stakes at Moonee Valley, splits that pair as a $5 chance.