Shock scratching rocks Rockhampton’s big new race, The Archer

Following the shock scratching of Group 1 winning Victorian sprinter Streets Of Avalon, the final make-up of Saturday’s The Archer field was still unknown late on Friday in an unwanted sensation. Here’s the latest.

Zac Spain returns to the mounting yard aboard Streets of Avalon after winning Neds C.F. Orr Stakes at Caulfield Racecourse on February 06, 2021. (George Salpigtidis/Racing Photos)

Star Brisbane galloper Apache Chase has firmed in favouritism for regional Queensland’s richest race The Archer after the shock scratching of Group 1 winning Victorian sprinter Streets Of Avalon.

Mornington trainer Shane Nichols had to scratch Streets Of Avalon on Friday morning after his stable star and winner of $1.1 million in stakes had to be treated for a viral infection.

Streets of Avalon had been a $4.20 second favourite for the $440,000 WFA The Archer (1300m) after being floated over 2000km arriving in a healthy state in Rockhampton earlier in the week.

The unfortunate scratching of Streets of Avalon has paved the way for Apache Chase to consolidate from an opening quote of $3.20 into $2.60 favourite.

It also caused a conundrum for racing officials as to determine if a substitute runner could be allotted Streets Of Avalon’s slot in The Archer which was still undecided late on Friday.

The Archer field has amassed over $11 million in prize money and includes lone Victorian Crosshaven and a strong contingent of five from New South Wales.

However, given his popularity and qualifications, the Desleigh Forster trained Apache Chase may go to the barriers for The Archer run at Callaghan Park at 4.59pm as an even shorter priced favourite.

The winner of $1,500,125 in stakes, Apache Chase, a dual Group 3 winner, is a purposeful contender for

the $1.5m Group 1 TAB Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) run at Eagle Farm on June 11.

In last year’s running of the Stradbroke, Apache Chase led-up and although he weakened finishing 13th, he was only 3.9 lengths away from the winner Tofane.

Forster has made it clear that Apache Chase is a far more seasoned and stronger racehorse in his preparation for another tilt at Queensland’s biggest sprint race next month.

“That’s his aim all along the Stradbroke,” Forster said.

“This race, The Archer at Rockhampton, fits into that goal ideally.

“The big spacious track at Callaghan Park will suit him and I am very happy with the horse.

“This concept The Archer is really what is needed for racing in this part of Queensland. I had no hesitation in bringing Apache Chase up here for it.”

Nor for that matter did leading jockey, Brisbane’s Jim Byrne, who simply will not surrender his place in the saddle on Apache Chase’s back to anyone.

“Jim just won’t get off him”, Forster said.

Perusing Apache Chase’s record definitely puts Forster’s words beyond any doubt.

Byrne has ridden Apache Chase at his past 12 starts which have netted prize wins including the Group 3 features The Daybreak Lover and The Fred Best.

Throw in the Toowoomba Weetwood Handicap and Brisbane’s The Gateway and it is little wonder that Byrne, one of Queensland’s all time most successful jockeys, is so connected to Apache Chase.

Byrne’s opinion of Apache Chase as a genuine Stradbroke contender is backed by his intimate knowledge of what it takes to win the prized sprint after having done so on Adam in 1999.

A multiple Group 1 winning jockey, having won an Ascot Vale Stakes at Flemington, his appearance at Callaghan Park on Saturday bolsters the status of The Archer.

In a riding career that extends beyond three decades, Byrne has ridden an incredible 2844 winners as well as 5025 place getters from 20,380 rides.

Considering he has bypassed the $1.5 million Hollindale Stakes meeting at the Gold Coast opting for Apache Chase in The Archer at Rockhampton on Saturday is a massive tip.

Accordingly, Apache Chase will be the go-to horse for punters Australia-wide on Saturday.