APACHE CHASE RIGHT ON THE MARK IN HIS EXHIBITION GALLOP. LOOKS READY FOR ROCKY

By Graham Potter | Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Both trainer Desleigh Forster and jockey Jim Byrne were all smiles after Apache Chase’s exhibition gallop between races at Ipswich on Wednesday.

Apache Chase will soon be heading to Rockhampton to tackle the inaugural running of the $440 000 The Archer, a race in which the runners are determined by the choice of slot holders, following the same format as The Everest and, clearly, it was all systems go for Apache Chase after the hit out at Ipswich.

‘I was really happy with him,” confirmed Byrne. “I kept him on the fence just to make sure because this (Ipswich) is the tightest track he has been on … just to make sure he changed his legs when I needed him to and just to make sure he hit the turn nicely.

“It was nice work. You don’t want to get to the bottom of him that’s for sure, but he came home in 34, so I was pretty happy with that.”

And, yes, in spite of The Archer being scheduled for the same day as the big Winter carnival meeting at the Gold Coast, Byrne will definitely be in the saddle for Apache Chase’s Rockhampton assignment.

“I’m definite going to Rockhampton,” said Byrne. “I’ve got a big opinion of Apache Chase. I’ve had a big opinion of him from the first time I jumped on him and everytime he has showed up.

“Coming into the Stradbroke last year, we virtually threw all of our chips in the race before (in the Fred Best) to get him into the Stradbroke and that just probably got him over the top come Stradbroke day.

“This year he was obviously in the Stradbroke from the moment he won The Gateway in December, so he can have a more measured lead-up. Last year I had to lose lots of weight to ride him in the Stradbroke at 49.5kg. I’m not sure what weight he’s got this year, but I’ll do it again if I have to. He is one of those horses I would do it for.”

The four-year-old gelding is already an eight-time winner with his successes including victories in the two Group 3 races … the Vo Rogue and the Fred Best … two Listed races … the Daybreak Lover and the Weetwood … and that oh so very important win in the Gateway, a result which gained him that ballot-free entry into this year’s Stradbroke.

His placed outings also underline Apache Chase’s quality. He finished second in the Queensland Guineas, third in both The Buffering and the Magic Millions Cup and fourth in the Golden Eagle … an overall form-line which stacks up very well going into The Archer where the good-looking son of Better Than Ready is sure to start as one of the main fancies.

After that it will be back to Brisbane to chase carnival riches.

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