Brisbane trainer Desleigh Forster isn’t usually one to say more that she needs to, nor makes outlandish statements, but she had no hesitation in declaring her admiration for Apache Chase after the four-year-old gelding won $250,000 The Gateway (1400m) at Eagle Farm and secured the ‘win-and-you’re-in’ ticket into the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) in June.
The Stradbroke might be six months away but it does go a long way in providing some comfort in planning a preparation.
Apache Chase ($1.30 favourite), ridden by veteran Jim Byrne, defeated second-placed Palaisipan ($7.50) by 2-1/2 lengths with Cracker Essgee ($81) in third.
“He’s a star,” Forster said.
“They think they’re going to serve it up to him and it is going to bring him undone.”
Finishing thirteenth in the 2021 Stradbroke, Forster says that preparing the four-year-old gelding has had some challenges.
“He’s a totally different horse and we’ve spent a long time trying to get him to relax.
“He’s relaxing now and he’s just a nice horse, Jimmy loves him and he’s got a good opinion of him.”
Forster is open minded on which race Apache Chase will take on during the Magic Millions Carnival in January.
“Everything is perfect,” she said.