Weetwood day in review: Apache Chase stars, Wapiti breaks long drought in Cup

Apache Chase shines in the Weetwood Handicap at Clifford Park on the path to the rich Golden Eagle in Sydney.

Apache Chase ridden by Jim Byrne wins the 2021 Weetwood Handicap. Picture: Nev Madsen

RACING: Clifford Park just might’ve witnessed the start of something special.

Apache Chase ($4.20) lived up to the hype and the favourite tag with a dogged victory in the $150,000 Listed Weetwood Handicap (1200m).

The Desleigh Forster-trained gelding is on a well-documented path towards the $7.5m Golden Eagle in Sydney next month, and added a fourth black type win to his resume from just 16 career starts.

The four-year-old was sent out as the popular pick with punters after drawing a low gate, although the noted frontrunner wasn’t able to get his own way in the lead.

Tambo’s Mate ($9.50) and You Make Me Smile ($6) each taking up the running at some stage, but Forster said that would be a blessing in disguise, with the progressive type able to settle beautifully in the run.

“We’re very happy with that (win),” Forster said.

“We always said he’d be a better chaser. He’s been able to relax well at home.

“It shows the class and quality (of the horse).”

A tough effort saw Apache Chase hold off a fast finishing Desert Lord ($6) and Royal Hale ($17), the latter giving Tony Gollan another minor placing in the feature.

With one eye on Sydney where Apache Chase is rated a $26 chance with the TAB, Forster said the immediate focus will be on his next run in Brisbane.

“We’ll worry about the next few runs then assess things after that,” Forster said.

“He’ll go next to a 1400m at Eagle Farm in two weeks time, but it was a really nice to start the campaign off (with a win).”

Tycoon Ace ($41) finished closest of the locals for Tony and Maddy Sears, 1.4 lengths away in fifth.

Mark Currie’s Soxagon ($5) received some late support, but was unable to run on in the home straight with 59.5kg, finishing 10th.

Wapiti ridden by Taylor Marshall wins the Toowoomba Cup. Picture: Nev Madsen

Wapiti ended a run of 11 outs to claim the $125,000 Toowoomba Cup (2000m) for Sunshine Coast trainer Gary Duncan.

Champagne Aunty ($3.20 fav) looked to pinch a break turning for home for trainer Steve Tregea.

But her two market rivals, Wapiti and Honorable Spirit ($4.40) thundered home down the centre of the track, with the former pulling out too many guns late to prevail by a long neck, with Champagne Aunty game in third.

“He did deserve it. He’s definitely a trier and always tries his bloody hardest,” Duncan said.

“He seemed to handle the track pretty well. The 2000 was a bit of a task, and it’s a hard 2000 up the hill.

“It was good to see him have a win that’s for sure.”

Duncan was full of praise for the steer from Taylor Marshall, and is looking towards the Gold Coast and Queensland’s richest race day.

“He was given a great ride and it was the easiest race he’s been in for a while,” he said.

“We’re definitely going to the Magic Millions staying race. That’s been the plan since the last one.

“To know that he can run the trip, we’ll aim for the 2400m race. He might have a bit of a let up.”

Menari Magic ($11) caused an upset as the babies stepped out for the $75,000 Pat O’Shea Plate (1000m).

Sitting outside a hot tempo set by Straight Alphas ($3.80 fav), the Paul Butterworth-trained filly hit the lead early in the straight, and somehow held off a surging run from Mishani Warfare ($4.20) to score by a head.

Possover ($31) was the best of the locals for Tony Webb, finishing a further 1 ½ lengths behind in third.

Bulloo ($3.50) stamped herself as a filly on the rise with a dominant success in the Garden City Guineas (1625m).

The David Vandyke pair of Whitewater ($2.70 fav) and Keefy ($3.50) were firmly in the market, but a quality ride from Andrew Mallyon proved the difference.

Bulloo sat three pairs back, with a passage opening up at the top of the straight that the filly took full advantage of to power away for an impressive win.

While the locals were unable to take any of the features, Kirra Lass (Lindsay Hatch) and Don’t Stop (Paul Nolan Jnr) ensured the Clifford Park trainers wouldn’t go home empty handed.

Kirra Lass ($10) caused one of the upsets of the day, getting the better of Lyrical Girl ($1.75 fav) to take out the Benchmark 70 Handicap (1000m).

The four-year-old was able to sit outside the favourite and power on over the concluding stages, scoring by a half-length from Norse Mythology ($20) with Lyrical Girl in third.

Don’t Stop ($6) was one of the widest as a big wall of horses entered the home straight in the last on the card, the Benchmark 75 Handicap (1200m).

Georgina Cartwright was able to lift the five-year-old over the line, giving him a home hat-trick.