Apap Confident Rasheda's On The Right Track

TONY Apap is confident that talented stayer Rasheda can return to winning form at Albion Park on Thursday night over her pet 710 metre distance.

Isaac Murphy12 May 2020

RASHEDA at her best is something to behold.

It appeared a star was born when she ran a slashing 41.83 at her first 710 metre try at Albion Park way back in March, 2019.

But a litany of injuries and form slumps left Tony Apap with his work cut out to recapture the daughter of My Bro Fabio's best form, a journey that starts back over the staying trip this Thursday night.

"It's been a pretty lean run for the kennel as a whole," Apap said.

FIELDS, FORM & BEST PRICES

"Every time you think one is about to return there's a setback, it just happens sometimes in racing. You go through it but hopefully Rasheda can kick-start a good run on Thursday.

"All her trials and what she's done at home have been good. Her first run back over 500 was a write off from a wide draw but we go straight up to the 710 metres this week feeling optimistic."

Rasheda's roller coaster run continued earlier this year when she ran fourth in the Group 1 Gold Cup, sustaining a career threatening injury in the process.

"She tore her Achilles tendon when she finished fourth in the Gold Cup …it's been a long road back," Apap said.

"We were working really hard on her all the way through and she just wasn't responding to the treatment the way we wanted.

"I asked (owner) David Brasch if he wanted to retire her because I knew he wanted to breed with her.

"We decided to stick on and try a few different things and she's come good again. Touch wood we see some of the old Rasheda on Thursday night."

Known for her spectacular finishing bursts, Apap is happy to have her back to her pet distance, but although she has a class edge on her grade five opposition, concedes she'll be better for the run.

"As long as she can get around that first turn and position herself within striking distance, she'll be coming home like she always does," Apap said.

"The biggest thing with her has always been avoiding trouble, if she does that it'll take her a long way. I'd love to see her find the fence too, that's when she can really get motoring."