Apache Chase - First Group 1 for Desleigh Forster and Better Than Ready

Mark Smith - Saturday May 28

The day's biggest cheer at Eagle Farm was reserved for Desleigh Forster after Apache Chase credited the hugely popular trainer with a maiden Group 1 triumph in the Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m).

A 4-horse war (image Grant Cortney)

Jim  Byrne took no prisoners on the 4yo son of Better Than Ready gelding, leading at every call to defeat Godolphin's admirably honest Dawn Approach (IRE) colt Paulele by a head with the Fastnet Rock gelding Eleven Eleven a nose back in third.  

Apache Chase has placed in the $200,000 The Buffering, $1million Magic Millions Cup, and $400,000 The Archer since winning the $250,000 The Gateway at Eagle Farm in December.

With a pair of Group III and Listed wins already in the bag, Apache Chase advances his record to nine wins, two seconds, and three thirds from 22 starts, with earnings a tick under $2million.

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“All I said to J Byrne was ‘don’t go slow’. Use his speed, use his gate, dig him and send him, get to the 3 (300m) and let him go,” Forster said.

“If they are good enough to run past him, they are good enough, but if they are not, too bad. They weren’t a hope, they just left him in front, and he just walked.

“He means the world to me.

“Thanks to (owner) Michael Sherrin. He’s sitting in my office having a drink I suppose, watching on his own in the office. No doubt he will celebrate with me later.

“They’ve been so good to me. They’ve trusted me with this horse. We could of sold this horse 18 months ago.

“Mike said ‘do you think he can win a Group 1?’. I said ‘yeah’.

“I’ve only got a small team. I can name them all on one hand. This is for everyone. My Mum will be ecstatic. She’ll probably be on the couch crying.

“I dared to dream. I thought if a horse could do me a Group 1, this horse would.”

Well deserved pat from grateful trainer (image Grant Courtney)

Purchased by his owner Michael Sherrin for $50,000 out of the Eureka Stud draft at the 2019 Gold Coast March Yearling Sale, Apache Chase is the eleventh and final foal of Silken Whisper (USA).

The daughter of Diesis was 20yo when she foaled Apache Chase, who is a half-brother to Churchill Downs.

That son of Danehill won the 2006 Group II MVRC Bill Stutt Stakes and was runner-up to Mirror Mirror in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic,

Apache Chase credits Lyndhurst Stud’s prolific More Than Ready (USA) stallion Better Than Ready with his first Group 1 winner.

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Race Result - Tab Kingsford-Smith Cup Gr1 1300m

Eagle Farm Track: Good(3) Time: 1:16.39
1
Apache Chase
- 4g Better Than Ready (AUS) x Silken Whisper (USA) (Diesis (GB))
Tnr: Desleigh Forster Rdr: J Byrne 59
2
0.2
Paulele
- 3c Dawn Approach (IRE) x Chatoyant (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57
3
0.3
Eleven Eleven
- 5g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Smokin' Alice (USA) (Smoke Glacken (USA))
Tnr: G D Hickman Rdr: J Bowman 59
Fastnet Rock
4
0.4
Rothfire
- 4g Rothesay (AUS) x Huss On Fire (NZ) (Hussonet (USA))
Tnr: R L Heathcote Rdr: James Orman 59
5
1.6
September Run
- 4m Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Pittsburgh Flyer (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Craig Williams 57
6
1.8
Brooklyn Hustle
- 5m Starspangledbanner (AUS) x Joint Aspiration (GB) (Pivotal (GB))
Tnr: J Warren & D Krongold Rdr: Jamie Kah 57
7
2.0
Scallopini
- 7g Snitzel (AUS) x Rose Of Mulan (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: S O'Dea & M Hoysted Rdr: Boris Thornton 59
8
2.1
Private Eye
- 4g Al Maher (AUS) x Confidential Queen (AUS) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: B Avdulla 59
9
2.5
Isotope
- 4m Deep Field (AUS) x Great Dansaar (AUS) (Choisir (AUS))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: Ryan Maloney 57
10
3.0
Away Game
- 4m Snitzel (AUS) x Elusive Wonder (AUS) (Elusive Quality (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: John Allen 57
11
3.2
Entriviere
- 5m Tavistock (NZ) x Marcey's Belt (AUS) (Golan (IRE))
Tnr: M W Walker Rdr: O P Bosson 57
12
3.4
Laws Of Indices
- 4h Power (GB) x Sampers (IRE) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: Rachel King 59
13
3.5
Ellsberg
- 4h Spill The Beans (AUS) x Love Of Liberty (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: G Ryan & S Alexiou Rdr: N Rawiller 59
14
3.8
Signore Fox
- 6h Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Sharp Susan (USA) (Touch Gold (USA))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: Ben Thompson 59
15
4.3
Olmedo
- 7h Declaration Of War (USA) x Super Pie (USA) (Pivotal (GB))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: Brodie Loy 59
16
4.4
Wild Planet
- 6g Animal Kingdom (USA) x Salutations (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: W Pike 59
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