Clash Of Sprint Stars On Cards

The Age

Monday November 10, 2008

ANDREW EDDY

THE clash of the sprinting heavyweights Takeover Target and Apache Cat might eventuate after all, with Apache Cat's trainer Greg Eurell now seriously considering sending his horse to Perth to race against the veteran sprinter this month.

Eurell reported yesterday that nothing was amiss with Apache Cat, who spoiled his record with a shock unplaced run in Saturday's group1 Classic at Flemington.

But the trainer said he was reluctant to send the horse to Hong Kong next month without seeing him perform under race conditions.

"You couldn't send the horse over there on the back of that run, although we've found nothing wrong with him," Eurell said yesterday. "You'd want to see him run well before and so we're seriously considering Perth."

Takeover Target was forced to miss the group1 Classic because of a stone bruise, but Perth's racing fans look set for a treat in the $400,000 Winterbottom Stakes over 1200 metres at Ascot on November 29.

Apache Cat, who was last season voted Australia's champion sprinter and was runner-up to Weekend Hussler for the Horse of the Year title, had won five group1 sprints in succession at his previous campaign before Saturday's failure as the $2favourite.

The only time Apache Cat and Takeover Target have met was in April's T.J.Smith Stakes at Randwick. Apache Cat beat him comfortably, but was fitter and on ground that suited him better.

Eurell said he was concerned that the most suitable flight to Perth left Melbourne tomorrow and so he would have to decide in the next 24 hours whether to press on with Apache Cat's campaign. "I think it's either Perth or the paddock," he said.

Apache Cat has first claims on a spot to race in the group1 Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin on December 14 but after his upset victory on Saturday, the Bart Cummings-trained Swick might also take up an invitation to run in the race after winning his first group1.

Takeover Target flies to Perth tomorrow and his trainer Joe Janiak is keen to arrange a trial or a gallop at Ascot between races for the horse this Saturday.

Takeover Target will follow his run in the 1200-metre Winterbottom with one more start in Perth over 1400 metres on December 13.

The veteran is then likely to return home to Coffs Harbour for a spell before any decision on a fourth trip to England is made.

STARS OF THE CARNIVAL

From Caulfield Guineas day (October 11) to Flemington final day (November 8)

TOP JOCKEYS

Michael Rodd

9 wins, 4 seconds, 6 thirds

Damien Oliver

6 wins, 4 seconds, 3 thirds

Craig Williams

5 wins, 6 seconds, 7 thirds

Kerrin McEvoy

5 wins, 5 seconds, 7 thirds

Corey Brown

5 wins, 5 seconds, 2 thirds

James Winks

5 wins, 1 second, 2 thirds

TOP TRAINERS

Mick Price

6 wins, 3 seconds, 1 third

David Hayes

5 wins, 6 seconds, 9 thirds

Danny O'Brien

5 wins, 5 seconds, 3 thirds

Mark Kavanagh

5 wins, 3 seconds, 1 third

Bart Cummings

5 wins, 1 second, 4 thirds

Lee Freedman

3 wins, 6 seconds, 4 thirds

© 2008 The Age

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