KEY POINTS:
MELBOURNE - Apache Cat will wear blinkers for the first time this spring in tomorrow's A$750,000 ($860,000) Emirates Stakes (1600m) in the hope that he can recapture the group one-winning form he showed at Flemington last autumn.
Trainer Greg Eurell said the time was right to effect the gear change after the four-year-old was unplaced to Fields Of Omagh in the Cox Plate (2040m) last start.
Last autumn Apache Cat won three group races in a row including the group one Australian Guineas over tomorrow's distance of 1600m at Flemington but has raced without blinkers this campaign to help him adjust to longer races.
"He was always competitive with the blinkers on but we took them off to get him to settle a bit more and get the 2000 metres," Eurell said.
"Back to a mile I think he is very sharp with them on and this is his chance to cap a very competitive campaign."
Apache Cat was placed at his first three spring starts in the Aurie's Star Handicap, Memsie Stakes and Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes but disappointed when he could only finish seventh in both the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington and the Cox Plate on October 28.
Damien Oliver will have his first ride on Apache Cat in the Emirates.
"All in all there are a lot of pluses for the horse on Saturday," Eurell said.
"He's back to a mile, has blinkers on, has a great weight, likes the course and Damien is on board."
Eurell said Apache Cat would take up a familiar on-pace role despite drawing awkwardly in barrier 13.
"The barrier is the only negative," Eurell said.
Mackinnon Stakes winner Desert War, drawn in four, is almost certain to go with Apache Cat early while New Zealander Seachange has to cross from the outside gate to take up her customary forward position.
The Danny O'Brien-trained Valedictum (barrier 14) gets his chance to emulate Seascay (1994-95), Heroic Stone (1965 and 1967), Aquanita (1960-61) and Amounis (1926 and 1929) after winning the Emirates last year.
O'Brien will also run former American galloper Honor In War who drew gate six.
The David Hayes-trained Niconero, who finished fourth in the Emirates last year, has drawn barrier one and joins stablemate Super Kid (barrier eight) in the feature.
* Latest odds for Emirates Stakes (tomorrow):
$5: Desert War
$8: Apache Cat, Seachange
$9: Perfectly Ready, Niconero, Bentley Biscuit, Divine Madonna
$11: Lad Of The Manor, Super Kid, Rockford Bay.
$13: Flash Trick
$15: Sassbee
$17: Honor In War
$21: Valedictum, Spirit Of Tara, Cinque Cento
$31: Atapi
$51: Redadan
- AAP
