Ascot chief attempts to lure Aussie sprint king Apache Cat to Royal meeting

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Smith had just witnessed Apache Cat record a 'breathtaking' 57.25sec for the five-furlong dash, the fastest set on the new Flemington course. The manner of victory in the first leg of the Global Sprint Challenge put the five-year-old gelding on the top of Smith's hit list for the Royal Ascot sprints this summer.

Cat that got the cream: Apache Cat (near side) heads the field

Smith spoke with Eurell at length and, although the sprinter is no certainty to make the trip, he offered hope that he may throw his hat in the ring along with Takeover Target for the King's Stand and Golden Jubilee Stakes in June.

'He had to prove himself and he did that today,' Eurell said. 'He looks the right horse to do that (take to England). It would be interesting to have a go but it's just one of the wealth of options we have for the horse.'

Apache Cat, ridden by Corey Brown, a late replacement for the ill Michael Rodd, travelled across to the outside fence from his stall two and settled well off the pace before quickening inside the final furlong. In the end he had a neck to spare over Swick, with the outsider Stanzout in third.

The brilliant filly Gold Edition faded into fourth and was immediately retired by connections, with Magnus, an English raider last summer, finishing well out of it.

Apache Cat has now earned two million Aussie dollars for winning 12 of his 26 starts and, according to Melbourne racing writer Tim Habel, is a better sprinter than Takeover Target which is an ominous warning for the English brigade if he makes the trip.

'That's my opinion,' Habel said. 'This horse is the best in Australia up to 1,400 metres and was even placed in the Doncaster (Handicap over 1,600m).'