The Wayne Seelin-trained Apache Belle will be out to atone some recent runner-up finishes when she contests the Randwick Midway this Sunday.
She has been knocking on the door of late with three seconds from her past four outings, but the Wayne Seelin-trained Apache Belle will be aiming to get back into the winner’s circle this Sunday in the Midway Handicap over 2000m at Royal Randwick.
There will be no doubting the Mahisara mare’s fitness as she lines up for start number 22 for Seelin, remarkably all coming since March earlier this year.
Based on Monday’s nominations, Seelin sees this event being no harder than recent efforts.
“I’ve had a quick look at the field and it’s equally as strong as anything she’s been in lately,” Seelin said.
“It’s probably no stronger than the midweek she was in a couple of starts back when she ran second, and there were some handy horses in that.
“She probably wants 2400m and further, but that’s not to say when the speed in on she can’t be right there in the finish.”
In addition to her intestinal fortitude the six-year-old has shown Seelin tremendous flexibility, a fact not lost on the Wyong-based conditioner.
“She won first-up for me over 1200m and then won over 2900m in the same prep, it’s incredible,” Seelin said.
“She’s certainly paying her way and is obviously very versatile. She’s pretty tough too.”
Perhaps best known for his warrior horse Isorich, Seelin explains that there might be life left in the old boy just yet. The 11-year-old Choisira gelding has an incredible record of 137 starts for 15 wins and 34 placings, amassing over $770,000 in earnings in the process.
“He’s been in the paddock for a couple of months now, and he’s fatter than me at present,” Seelin mused.
“I might bring him back in just to see how much he enjoys it. He still comes to the gate each morning and gets angry that he’s not coming in.
“He’s sitting on 49 top-three finishes and no one wants to get out on 49. But he owes me nothing and I won’t be taking any chances.”
As to the facilities available on course at his home track of Wyong, Seelin is full of praise for what the club has managed to create over the past few years.
“It’s a great place to train,” Seelin said.
“You wouldn’t get any better anywhere really. We’ve got everything we need at the minute.”
Royal Randwick plays host to a bumper ten-race card on Boxing Day this Sunday with the feature event being the $160,000 Group 3 Summer Cup over 2000m.