Barrier boost for classy Cat

Apache Cat's hopes of winning back-to-back Group One races lifted following Wednesday's barrier draw for this Saturday's Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.

A last start winner of the Lightning Stakes at Flemington on February 2, Apache Cat was installed the $2.60 favourite for the Australia Stakes after drawing gate two of 11.

Greg Eurell's striking looking chestnut is aiming to be the fifth galloper to complete the Lightning-Australia double, most recently completed by champion sprinter Miss Andretti last year.

Fallen star Miss Finland's chances of returning to the winner's list were dealt a blow when she drew the extreme outside.

Owner John Messara had already said he was not expecting Miss Finland to win Saturday's 1200m dash as she was being prepared for races around the mile.

Several of Apache Cat's main rivals will jump from closer to the outside.

Let Go Thommo ($6.50), who won the Norman Carlyon Stakes over the same course and distance on January 25, will jump from gate eight, Lightning placegetter Stanzout from seven and Gai Waterhouse's super sprinter Dance Hero from six.

Lee Freedman's promising galloper Sonic Quest, who will be ridden by Damien Oliver, has landed the inside alley.

The only three-year-old in the field is the Peter Moody-trained Tan Tat De Lago, who has barrier four.

Australia Stakes (1200m)
No Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight
1 DANCE HERO Gai Waterhouse Greg Childs 6 58.5
2 APACHE CAT Greg Eurell Corey Brown 2 58.5
3 LET GO THOMMO Simon Zahra Steven King 8 58.5
4 COCINERO Robbie Griffiths Danny Brereton 3 58.5
5 STANZOUT Colin Davies Craig Williams 7 58.5
6 FLASH TRICK Colin & Cindy Alderson Vlad Duric 10 58.5
7 SONIC QUEST Lee Freedman Damien Oliver 1 58.5
8 MONET RULES Leon Corstens Peter Mertens 5 58.5
9 AREVALO Robbie Laing Craig Newitt 9 58.5
10 MISS FINLAND David Hayes Steven Arnold 11 56
11 TAN TAT DE LAGO Peter G Moody Luke Nolen 4 53