Archer is first for Apache Chase but Straddie the bullseye
THE central Queensland beef capital of Rockhampton would at first glance appear an unlikely starting point for a Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap mission, but such is the changing face of Australian racing.
It’s where trainer Desleigh Forster and her ace sprinter Apache Chase are headed for Saturday’s inaugural $440,000 feature slot race The Archer and it ties in beautifully for a bumper winter campaign ahead.
Apache Chase is the sprinter that Jim Byrne wasted to ride at 50.5kg in the Stradbroke last year and such was the betting market’s opinion of the then three-year-old that he started a well-backed $6.50 second pick.
A quick early speed may have been his undoing but he didn’t disgrace himself finishing less than four lengths off the winner Tofane.
Forster insists the 2022 version of Apache Chase is an even better model and bookies are keeping the gelding safe at $21 in Stradbroke markets.
Forster has the luxury of a locked-in start for Apache Chase in the Stradbroke after his dominant win in The Gateway at Eagle Farm in December.
Forster said Apache Chase was ready to rumble first-up in the Rockhampton 1300m weight-for-age sprint.
“The Stradbroke is his grand final but he doesn’t know how to run a bad race,” Forster said. “He’s not going to Rocky to make up the numbers.
“These races don't come around that often and a big spacious track, 1300m at weightfor-age, it just suits him really good.
“So it’s this race in Rocky, on to the (Group 1) KingsfordSmith Cup and then on to the Straddie.”
Byrne will continue his association with Apache Chase at Rockhampton.
“Jimmy stays on, he won’t let anyone else on him as he’s too nice a horse,” Forster said.
“Apache Chase is a much better horse now, more mature and stronger.”
TAB has Apache Chase marked as the $3.60 favourite to win The Archer, with Victorian raider Streets Of Avalon the next in the market at $4.20.