Desleigh Forster is confident her big boy Apache Chase can give the Sydneysiders something to chase in Saturday’s Group 2 Queensland Guineas.
Apache Chase bounced back to winning form in the Listed Daybreak Lover (1400m) at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago, making it four wins at the venue.
He now stretches to 1600m for the first time, but given he handled 1500m as a two-year-old, Forster has no qualms about the trip.
“I’m confident he will run the mile. A few people might have an issue that he can go too keen, but once he jumps to the front on his own he switches off and relaxes,” she said.
“He cruises along and I don’t think it will be an issue.”
Jim Byrne notched his first win on the horse in the Daybreak Lover and it gives the trainer confidence that the rider is now very familiar with the Better Than Ready gelding.
Forster intends to give Apache Chase four weeks between this run and his next outing in the Fred Best Classic (1400m), where he will bid to secure a start in the $1.5M Stradbroke Handicap.
Forster also has in-form filly Georgie’s Pride running in the 1300m 3YO Quality and Red Chase tackling the big guns in the Group 2 Victory Stakes this weekend.
“Georgie loves the Farm and you know where she will be in the run. It looks like a nice race on paper for her,” the trainer said.
“We will assess after this race where she goes. At the moment if you have a horse that loves Eagle Farm, you may as well target those sort of races.”
Red Chase is at big odds and Forster concedes he faces a task to beat a horse like Trekking, but she’s certain he will acquit himself well.
“He loves Eagle Farm, he’s had two trials and both have been super. He won’t disgrace himself,” she said.
The Stradbroke is one option for Red Chase, but Forster said she could also head south to Sydney and chase a Listed race or two while the big guns are in Queensland for the carnival.
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