Apache Song chasing career-best win in Group 2 Australia Stakes at The Valley on Friday night

Three straight wins over the Australia Stakes course has boosted Apache Song’s confidence ahead of the Michael Trotter-trained mare’s crack at Friday night’s Group 2 Australia Stakes at The Valley.

Apache Song's three straight wins at The Valley have earned the mare a crack at Group 2 level in the Australian Stakes. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images.

Confidence can take any athlete a long way and Apache Song’s confidence will be at a peak for her tough assignment in Friday night’s Group 2 Australia Stakes at The Valley.

Apache Song is a $17 chance in opening markets on the $350,000 feature in which she will take on dual Group 1 winner Southport Tycoon, who is the clear $2 favourite.

Weights and measures are against Apache Song but Cranbourne trainer Michael Trotter said the mare had never been in better shape, as shown by wins at The Valley at her last three starts.

“Confidence has been a massive thing with her because she has just thrived since those wins,” Trotter said.

“She just keeps improving.

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“Her work on the track just keeps getting better every time she steps out there.”

Apache Song’s winning run started in Benchmark 64 grade in November last year before continuing her form in Benchmark 70 and 78 levels at her last two runs.

Trotter said there was plenty of merit in the four-year-old’s wins, particularly her last two triumphs, to earn a shot in the Australia Stakes.

The Valley specialist Apache Song will face a tricky task at weight-for-age in Friday night’s $350,000 Australia Stakes. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images.

“Those last two wins were really tough,” Trotter said.

“The second one where she had her back end taken out from behind her on the home turn and the way she was able to pick herself up and the weight she carried in that race was pretty impressive.

“The last win, she got terrorised by a horse on her outside for a long time but she was still able to dig deep and get across the line.”

Trotter said the likes of Southport Tycoon and Schwarz made her task tougher but he said the Sioux Nation mare could secure an invaluable Group 2 placing.

“If you take the toppie (Southport Tycoon) and Schwarz out, you’d think she’d be in with a definite chance,” Trotter said.

“She’s definitely a first four chance, there’s no question about that.

“We’ll give it a shake anyway.”

Trotter has secured star jockey Damian Lane to ride Apache Song in the Australia Stakes, which has attracted a field of nine runners.

Originally published as Apache Song chasing career-best win in Group 2 Australia Stakes at The Valley on Friday night