Apache does it again

Apache Cat has claimed his fourth Group One win of 2008, holding on for a narrow win in the Jacob's Creek BTC Cup (1200m) at Doomben.

The popular chestnut started at $1.30 and extended his perfect record for this year, sitting just off the pace before unleashing a run down the straight to win by a head over talented mare Vormista ($8.50) with Swiss Ace ($9.50) three-quarters of a length away in third.

The margin would indicate it was far from comfortable for the Greg Eurell trained five-year-old but he always had the race in his keeping in the run to the line. Corey Brown brought him to the outside of the leaders at the top of the straight and while Damien Oliver on Vormista surged up inside of Apache Cat with about 200m to go, the favourite was never headed, fighting all the way for a strong win.

He will now be set for the Doomben 10,000 in a bid to make it five wins at the top level this year and six wins overall. His other wins in 2008 have been in the Lightning Stakes, the Australia Stakes and the TJ Smith Stakes.

He would seriously challenge for Horse of the Year honours in any other year, but Weekend Hussler's stellar three-year-old season has that horse as the unbackable favourite to take that award at the end of the season.

However, the baldy faced chestnut's popularity far exceeds that of Weekend Hussler, who while he may be a slightly superior racehorse, lacks the stunning looks of the five-year-old.