Bennett Racing 5yo Star Witness gelding Apache Star appreciated the drop back to Adelaide Metropolitan level with a convincing win at Morphettvile on Saturday.
Apache has always been a Bennett Racing favorite. His flashy looks and bold way of going has endeared himself to a host of followers.
But that bold way of going has caused him to over race in the past so it was a very smart decision by Phillip Stokes to switch Apache back to Adelaide grade, where he has won before, in an effort to regain his best form. His form this prep had been consistent but in 3 runs in Victoria he was over racing and not finishing off. The Team applied a host of gear changes in an effort to get him to settle.
The hot speed on Saturday allowed just that and Apache was beautifully paced in 3rd riding the speed but creeping into it before the turn. He ran to the front at the 300m and won well dashing away. Apache is beautiful to watch in full flight and the gear changes and drop in grade did the job. Gary Lo was reunited with Apache and the result was much better than his previous sit on the gelding. This distance range from 1300-1400m has proven his sweet spot as there is usually enough pace that he doesn’t over race and it’s not too far to stretch his stamina.
A winner in all his last 3 seasons and a top 4 finisher in 12 of his 23 starts, this was Apache’s 5th win and 2nd in the metro area. The win also took his earnings to 112k.
A 67.5k purchase from the 2019 Magic Million Adelaide Yearling Sale, Apache Star is a ½ brother to 2 stakes horses as well as Bennett Racing’s very smart 2yo metro winner in Beauty Rising.
The ability and consistency shown by Apache and the enormous promise shown by Beauty Bound, motivated Bennett Racing to secure the magnificent Cosmic Force ¾ brother to Beauty Bound at this years Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. The colt, who will be trained by Phillip Stokes, has been broken-in and showing all the right signs his two siblings had shown at the same stage. Shares in the colt are available for a low as $3111.00. Click here for details.
