Influenza outbreak sidelines Apache Cat

ONE of Australia's leading sprint stars, Apache Cat, has become a victim of the equine influenza outbreak in NSW and Queensland, with the five-year-old heading for the spelling paddock after an adverse reaction to his inoculation.

A disappointed trainer Greg Eurell said yesterday he was not prepared to take any risks with the group 1 winner after the horse appeared to be lethargic following his mandatory inoculation earlier this month.

"We had him vaccinated against equine influenza three weeks ago but his blood picture was not good," Eurell said. "I think the injection has knocked him around a little bit and flattened him, so to go on to Hong Kong, we'll be chasing our tail."

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