A strong workout at Sha Tin this morning by Apache Cat left trainer Greg Eurell confident he has his multiple Group One on the mark for his first international challenge on Sunday.
Apache Cat strode out over 800m in 50.5 seconds on the all-weather at Sha Tin with the feature being his last 400 metres in 22.5 seconds.
The work pleased Eurell, who says Apache cat is thriving ahead of Sunday's $HK10 million International Sprint over 1200m.
"He had a good gallop which is what we wanted,” Eurell reported.
“He's settled in so well here I think he was looking forward to a bit of decent work.”
Eurell said the striking six-year-old was 530kg on landing in Hong Kong last week but had put on 10kg.
"He's 540 kilos now and that's around his optimum racing weight.
“It's a good indicator with him. He was 538 kilos when he last raced in Western Australia.
"He's eating and drinking as you'd hope and I would say he has settled in very, very well.”
Apache Cat clinched his trip to Hong Kong when he the five-time Group One winner was beaten a nose by Takeover Target in the Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot on November 29.
Eurell said Apache Cat, who is sharing a stable block with Australia's International Vase entry Douro Valley, will have his final serious piece of work on Wednesday.
"He's pretty much right where I want him," Eurell said.
Douro Valley's trainer Danny O'Brien arrives in Hong Kong on Wednesday but would be pleased with today's trackwork report from his foreman Paul Koumis.
Douro Valley worked over 1200 metres on the course proper in 1.15.8 seconds with a rousing last 400 metres in 22.8.
Douro Valley, who was a close second in the Sandown Classic on November 15, is expected to have his final gallop on Thursday.
