Hot to Trot: Apache on Song for Bletchingly upset
Apache Song could be a Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) sleeper on Saturday at Caulfield.
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.
• EXPERT TIPS: Brad Waters' best bets, quaddie picks and race-by-race analysis for Caulfield on Saturday
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.
Originally published as Hot to Trot: Apache on Song for Bletchingly upset
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