Desleigh Forster aiming for second Group 1 win with Apache Chase
Desleigh Forster was almost lost for words after winning her first Group 1 race – the Kingsford Smith Cup – at Eagle Farm two weeks ago.
But just because that monkey has now been shaken off her back, it doesn’t mean she will not bring her super-competitive edge to Saturday’s Stradbroke Handicap at the same venue.
Forster’s four-year-old gelding has been given $10 odds by Palmerbet to win the $1.5 million feature sprint over 1400m after his inspired triumph last start, leading all the way to salute with Jim Byrne aboard.
An ecstatic Forster said Apache Chase “means the world to me” after that triumph.
But she was straight back to work from 3am the next day in her preparations with the same horse-jockey combination for the Stradbroke Handicap.
And the woman from Ilfracombe in outback Queensland – where they breed them tough as nails – has a steely determination to win another Queensland Carnival Group 1 feature on Saturday.
“You do the form, so you’d know – we’re not going there to make up the numbers, OK?” she told horsebetting.com.au when asked about Apache Chase’s chances.
“It was back to work straight away (after winning last start). We enjoyed it but we’ve got to keep going.”
Forster revealed after Apache Chase’s win in the Kingsford Smith Cup that she told Byrne to not go slow and use the four-year-old’s speed out of the gate.
Byrne certainly did that, the gelding flying out of barrier four.
While no such plans have been made yet for Saturday, there is now plenty of confidence that Forster’s beloved gelding can bring her a second Group 1 victory.
“We haven’t discussed anything, so I’m not quite sure,” she said.
“I hope so (to win a second Group 1 race on Saturday). You just don’t take things for granted. Hopefully we can get another one.”
Forster said she could “name them all (stable staff) on one hand” after Apache Chase’s Kingsford Smith Cup victory.
Being a Group 1-winning trainer from outback Queensland with a small number of stable staff around her is something she is very proud of.
“We’re a small team with a small bunch of people here,” she said.
“Everyone works hard, but we’re not the only stable that works hard.
“All stables work hard. It’s all going good.”
Eleven Eleven – for Gregory Hickman with Hugh Bowman aboard – is the $6 favourite with the top bookmakers for the Stradbroke Handicap.
Apache Chase’ Odds For 2022 Stradbroke Handicaps
Stradbroke Handicap – 
#3 Apache Chase (3)
4yo Gelding | T: Desleigh Forster | J: Jim Byrne (55.5kg)