KEY POINTS:
Apache Cat passed his biggest test when proving too good for his rivals in the Group One Lightning Stakes at Flemington yesterday, while the beaten favourite Gold Edition was retired.
Trainer Ron Maund and owner Kevin O'Brien announced Gold Edition had run her last race after she finished fourth.
"It's been a great ride. There probably won't be another Gold Edition, but I can look forward to her foals now," Maund said.
Gold Edition bows out from racing having raced 37 times for 17 wins, 12 seconds, a third and $3,182,195 ($3,664,012.67).
The dual Group One-winning Lion Hunter 4-year-old was sent out at $1.85 and settled third behind Magnus and Ticklish.
Passing the 400m she was under pressure while Apache Cat, ridden by Corey Brown, who settled him ninth of the 10 runners, stormed home to score by a neck from Swick who would have given master trainer Bart Cummings his eighth Lightning victory.
Stanzout, who bumped heavily with Ticklish on jumping away, was 1 1/2 lengths away third with Gold Edition a short head back.
Trainer Greg Eurell said he was a bit overwhelmed with Apache Cat's second Group One victory.
"It was a wonderful effort. It was a tough assignment. I had reservations about it, but full marks to him," Eurell said.
"There were some question marks on him after his barrier trial and the enforced spell he had in the spring, but he showed what good horses can do.
"We might have to refocus on what we may do with him.
"He'll go to the Australia Stakes in a fortnight and then we'll have to sit down and work out what we will do."
Eurell hasn't ruled out a trip to England for a winter campaign in the 2008 Global Sprint Challenge for the baldy-faced 5-year-old who took out the opening leg of the eight-race series.
"Nothing is set in concrete at this stage though," Eurell said.
The gelding, has now won 12 of his 26 starts with six placings for $2,120,225 in stake money. He had an adverse reaction to an equine influenza injection last spring and couldn't race in Hong Kong.
Swick looked likely to cause an upset before Apache Cat arrived on the scene.
- AAP
