Cranbourne trainer Greg Eurell says he expects Apache Cat to be back to his best in Saturday's Group 2 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot.
The popular galloper turned in one of his worst career runs when a short-priced favourite fresh-up at Flemington, finishing eighth behind Swick in the Group 1 Patinack Classic.
He had won his previous five starts – all at Group 1 level – and after exhausting testing found nothing wrong with the gelding Eurell is prepared to forget the run.
“We're very happy with him at the moment,” Eurell told Sport 927. “All's well and he's in good fettle so we're looking forward to this weekend.
“There are a lot of positives. He has the run under his belt at Flemington, the change of scenery has been good and he's had the gallop with Takeover Target. We're very happy where he's at and we expect he'll perform at his best.”
Apache Cat and Takeover Target dominate the market in fixed odds betting, with Takeover Target a slight $2.60 favourite ahead of Eurell's galloper at $2.80.
In-form West Australian sprinter Danny Beau is a $5.00 chance.
Eurell said he has made arrangements for Apache Cat to go to Hong Kong for the International Sprint, but it hinges on his bouncing back to somewhere near his best this weekend.
The Hong Kong International Sprint, a 1200m Group 1 on Turf, is worth US$1.6 million and is at Sha Tin on December 14.
If Apache Cat gets the green light to go he will fly in early December giving him almost two weeks to settle in.
gets the green light to go he will fly in early December giving him almost two weeks to settle in.