Hot to Trot: Apache on Song for Bletchingly upset
Trainer Michael Trotter is poised to reshuffle original spring plans for the progressive Group 2 -placed mare based on the performance at Caulfield.
Trotter initially pencilled in a sprint campaign but recent work and endorsement of champion jockey Blake Shinn has put the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) firmly on the radar.
'Blake had the pick of a couple rides in the (Bletchingly) and stuck with her, which is a good sign,' Trotter said.
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'She's come back a better horse, shown us that (in work) which is great, her last jump out was really, really nice and Blake shared the same sentiment … she's improved from when he rode her last.
'We did have a rough plan in place, it will all depend how things transpire Saturday.
'There is a chance she could get to 1400m, obviously changes the dynamic a little bit … Blake felt that could be a real possibility this time around, the way she felt.
'The Rupert Clark is probably the one on our radar, if the 1400m is where she needs to go.
'We'll be guided a bit how things pan out Saturday, initially the plan was to stick around the 1200m mark but she's progressed so far … she does give you the feel maybe now she is ready to step up.'
'If you look at her last prep, she doesn't have to improve a hell of a lot to be at that elite level, as long as that maturity and strength translates into a length or so.'
Apache Song completed a Valley hat-trick in benchmark company last preparation before a gallant third place in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) behind a subsequent Group 1 -winner Schwarz.
Schwarz has absolutely run them ragged in the Australia Stakes 🇦🇰😨 @JohnOSheaRacing & @blake_shinn combine for a memorable G2 victory at The Valley. pic.twitter.com/ua5F1tfsXk
— Racing.com (@Racing) January 24, 2025
Apache Song, spelled after she failed in a Listed race at the end of a busy but successful campaign, has returned 'bigger and stronger'.
The rising five-year-old mare is a $21 outsider in the Bletchingly Stakes.
Baraqiel ($3) has led betting since the market opened last Wednesday, with Bridal Waltz ($5.50) and New York Lustre ($6.50) also rated to win.
'She had a really nice piece of work Tuesday morning, I couldn't have asked her to gallop any better so she's ready to go,' Trotter said.
'She's going to be a main player (Saturday and going forward), which is really exciting for a small team, I'm only working 10 horses.'
Trotter has Group 3 winner Rumbled Again set to resume in a Benchmark 100 at Flemington next month.
'We're such a small team, to have a couple horses running around in these sort of races is pretty awesome, we'll be making the most of the opportunities.'
Meanwhile, Shinn has an opportunity to put the Melbourne jockeys' premiership beyond doubt on Saturday with a full book of nine rides.
Shinn has a seven-win lead over champion jockey Craig Williams, who also boasts a strong Caulfield hand.
There are 17 metropolitan races left in the season, including eight on Wednesday at Sandown.
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Herald Sun
16 hours ago
- Herald Sun
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Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Mornington Glory won at the corresponding meeting at The Valley last season before progressing to win the Listed Norman Carlyon Stakes and the Group 1 Moir Stakes over 1000m at his next two runs. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet IQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Mornington Glory is one of six acceptors for the Benchmark 100 Handicap (1000m) with apprentice Luke Cartwright's claim to leave the sprinter to 59kg, only half a kilogram more than the same race last year. Mornington Glory missed Melbourne's major autumn sprints but showed he had benefited from the time off with an impressive Caulfield jumpout on July 30. 'He couldn't have gone any better,' Bedggood said. 'He trialled great so everything is on track.' • Japan stint has Dee primed to sprinkle some spring 'magic' The Cranbourne trainer hoped to capitalise on a lack of top class 1000m horses in the early part of the spring when tackling the Moir Stakes at weight-for-age. 'We don't want to change anything that's not broken and there looks to be a lack of genuine 1000m horses around at the moment,' Bedggood said. 'A lot of them are up and going and up at 1200m already. 'There's always the progressive three-year-old that might come through but he's got the score on the board around the track 'Hopefully we get a few dry weeks.' Bedggood said Mornington Glory needed targets over 1000m or 1100m, making races like the Schillaci Stakes during the Caulfield Cup carnival an option. 'There's a race at Caulfield over 1100(m), the Schillaci, so I would say they were our three big targets at the moment,' Bedggood said. 'Those first two (stakes) races are the goal though, so we'll see how we go.' Originally published as Valley hero Mornington Glory on track for Group 1 Moir Stakes defence
