Damien Oliver put his stamp of approval on new Doncaster Handicap favourite Apache Cat after an effortless win in yesterday's Blamey Stakes at Sandown.
Trainer Greg Eurell was keen for Oliver to commit to the Doncaster ride. A two-length win over Bon Hoffa ($12) in the Group 2 $352,000 Blamey Stakes (1600m) was enough for the champion jockey to take up the offer.
Apache Cat, who has 56.5kg in the $2.5 million Doncaster (1600m), firmed from $7 to $5.50 favouritism with bookmaker Michael Eskander after the win.
With his distinctive baldy face, Apache Cat ($1.45 fav) is a pin-up horse with racegoers.
The Lion Cavern gelding had an army of fans cheering him home yesterday as the one-out anchor for most quadrella punters, who invested $1,582,934 in response to Tabcorp cutting its commission. The "Fat Quaddie" paid $2137 for a $1 unit.
Apache Cat was inclined to over-race early but then settled and had his rivals covered early in the straight when Oliver eased him to the centre of the track.
"He was a little bit fresh, a bit toey. He hadn't raced for three weeks," Oliver said.
Apache Cat gave Oliver his third Blamey Stakes win as he won on Oliver Twist in 2000 and Gold Wells in 2004.
Apache Cat is already a Group 1 winner but seems to have returned to racing a more complete racehorse.
He has transformed from a specialist front-runner into a galloper capable of settling in a field.
"It's good to have another string to his bow," Eurell said.
Apache Cat has now won nine of his 20 starts and $1.4 million in stakes and has been touted by rival trainer David Hayes as an emerging star of Australian racing.
Eurell said Apache Cat would arrive in Sydney on Thursday week to prepare for Saturday week's Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) before tackling the Doncaster on April 9.
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