by Mike Curry

Apache Cat repelled a determined bid from runner-up Vormista on Saturday at Doomben and solidified his status as the favorite for the Carleton Draught Doomben 10,000 (Aus-G1) with a victory in the $380,433 Jacob’s Creek BTC Cup (Aus-G1).

Trained by Greg Eurell for a partnership, the Southern Hemisphere five-year-old Lion Cavern gelding earned his fourth consecutive Group 1 win. Eurell said after the 1,350-meter (6.71-furlong) Doomben 10,000 on May 24 that Apache Cat will receive a freshening.

Jockey Corey Brown settled Apache Cat into an ideal stalking position in third behind Swiss Ace and pacesetter Dance The Waves. Swiss Ace seized command on the turn in the 1,200-meter (5.97-furlong) turf race but Apache Cat surged ahead to challenge on the outside of Swiss Ace in the straight.

Vormista, a four-year-old Testa Rossa filly, accelerated into contention under Damien Oliver and rallied gamely from between Swiss Ace and Apache Cat.

“I thought Vormista had me when Damien [Oliver] came through so quickly in the straight,” Brown told the Daily Telegraph. “We sort of brushed and it threw my horse off a little bit.

“I decided to just ride him hard hands and heels as I did in Sydney rather than try to get the whip out and bash him.”

Apache Cat edged Vormista by a head after a thrilling final 100 meters and prevailed in 1:09.30 on turf rated as good. Swiss Ace was three-quarters of a length back in third.

Apache Cat won the Coolmore Lightning Stakes (Aus-G1) on February 2 at Flemington and the Timbercorp Australia Stakes (Aus-G1) on February 16 at Moonee Valley. He entered off a victory in the Sydney City Lexus T. J. Smith Stakes (Aus-G1) on April 26 at Randwick. Apache Cat is out of the Whiskey Road mare Tennessee Blaze.

Mike Curry is Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor