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Profitable horse racing betting analysis at Queensland's Winter Carnival

Apache Cat's presence has scared off a number of potential rivals in the $400,000 BTC Cup at Doomben on Saturday (May 10).

A 1200m weight-for-age contest, it has attracted a field of only eight and the favourite is going to go off very short.

Apache Cat, a four times Group One winner who has been in stellar form this campaign, has been quoted as a $1.45 odds-on favourite. Unbeaten from three starts this year, he has looked to have had plenty in hand.

First up taking out the Lightning Stakes down the famous Flemington straight, he then took out the Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley. Travelling to Sydney where the champ Takeover Target was expected to prove a real danger, Apache Cat was again too strong - saluting by nearly three lengths.

Able to sit just off the pace and stalk his rivals, Apache Cat has a withering final burst and a great will to win - as indicated by his 50% strike rate; 14 wins from 28 starts.

Whilst Saturday's contest is another Group One it does look to be a drop in class for Apache Cat, only one of his rivals - La Montagna - being an elite level win. And she is on the comeback trail from injury, her big success coming in the Stradbroke Handicap nearly two years ago.

Swick, should he win, will become legendary trainer Bart Cummings' 250th Gr.1 winner. He has not been able to match Apache Cat in the past but does appear to be one of the main dangers,

He is third up after gallant efforts behind Apache Cat and emerging superstar Weekend Hussler and at the same stage of his spring campaign he won the Salinger Stakes-Gr.2.

Swick's jockey Steven Arnold sums up his chances - "You can't run away from one horse. If Apache Cat has an off day I think Swick is in with a great chance of winning."

Talented mare Vormista is having her first run since the spring. She is yet to win at stakes level but she was a somewhat unlucky second to the flying Gold Edition in the Group One Manikato Stakes last September. Being lightly raced (the winner of four of nine) she may be the one with the most scope for improvement.

Swiss Ace will have plenty of fans even though he is yet to be tested at this sort of level. His form cannot be faulted however, the three-year-old winning nine of 11 including his last three at Listed and Gr.1 level.

Other feature events on the card include the Listed Golden Stakes for two-year-olds. This looks a particularly even race with several different form lines coming together.

There may however be strong place value with Betfair for Choose A Star who showed great natural ability when last in work. Always green, she is likely to be more mature this time in.

The Gr.2 Chairman's Handicap is a lead-up to the Brisbane Cup-Gr.1. Another open contest but Daring Fortune has been in consistent form and he drops back from weight-for-age level.

The Gr.3 Doomben Classic, a 1615m for three-year-olds, winds up the card. New Zealanders boast a great record at this carnival and Mynewbestfriend's form lines read well.

Real longshot value could side with Royale Harmony whose latest unplaced run on heavy going can be forgiven.