Racing
Apache to sing a Song at The Valley
A return to The Valley and with a strong second-up record, trainer Michael Trotter is expecting Apache Song to bounce back.
Horses can be creatures of habit and trainer Michael Trotter is banking on that when Apache Song runs second-up at Moonee Valley.
Apache Song has an affinity with The Valley circuit having won at the course on three occasions and placing once from six starts.
But importantly for Trotter is Apache Song's second-up record of two wins and a second from four outings.
Apache Song will be second-up when she runs in the Drummond Golf Handicap (1200m) at The Valley on Saturday.
The now five-year-old finished last first-up in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on July 26 and drops to a benchmark 84 race on Saturday.
Apprentice Luke Cartwright with his 3kg allowance replaces Blake Shinn.
Trotter said he had a thorough post-race discussion with Shinn where it was decided to bring her back in grade and try and get another win under the belt.
He said Apache Song raced keenly early and saw daylight the whole way at Caulfield, leaving no energy for the final stages of the race.
"On face value, it probably looked a bit disappointing, but Blake wasn't disappointed," Trotter said.
"He said she had definitely improved.
"If you go back and look at her record, her first-up runs in her last couple of preps have been identical to that.
"Two preps ago it was in a benchmark 70 and she got beaten about the same sort of distance and then last prep it was in a benchmark 64, then last time it was a Group 3.
"She's been beaten around the same distance each time and if that's anything to go by, then she has improved.
"I would prefer to have Blake on, but we've taken the claim. Luke's riding really well and with that claim she gets in well at the weights and it looks a really good race for her.
"If she turns up, she should be in the finish."
Trotter has not looked past Saturday's contest.
"We've put everything on ice until we see how she performs on Saturday, and we'll work out whether we step up to 1400 metres or stay at that 1200 metres," Trotter said.
"We'll get more of a guide after that, but I expect her to run well."
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