Australia: Apache Belle gets much needed class relief

Apache Belle, the 8-year-old Australian mare, won a handicap at 1 7/16 miles at Newcastle Racecourse in September before she was tried in three starts in tougher races at tracks in the Sydney area from late September to mid-October.

The journey to the city did no go well. Apache Belle finished sixth twice, and was last of 10 in the $320,000 St. Leger Stakes at Royal Randwick Racecourse on Oct. 14.

A major drop in class, and a return to Newcastle, may reverse that trend when Apache Belle starts in the minor Cessnock Cup at 1 5/16 miles on the Beaumont course at Newcastle on Sunday evening.

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Apache Belle, a winner of 8 of 55 starts, is part of a field of 10 in the Cessnock Cup, the highlight of an eight-race program that begins at 10:10 p.m. Eastern or 7:10 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Apache Belle runs from off the pace, and will have a formidable runner to catch in Torowoto, an 8-year-old gelding who is winless in three starts since a handicap at 1 5/16 miles at Tamworth in late August.

More recently, Torowoto has had mixed form, finishing a good second by two lengths in a one-mile handicap at Gunnedah on Sept. 23, but only seventh of 10 in a quickly run Coonabarabran Cup at a mile on Oct. 22.

Torowoto, who runs near the front, was dismissed at 16-1 in the Coonabarabran Cup, and is expected to be a shorter price in the Cessnock Cup.

Race conditions may also suit Silvakia, who finished fifth by two lengths in a handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Hawkesbury Racecourse on Oct. 19, his fifth consecutive loss. He tends to run from slightly off the pace.

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