Apache Cat has settled back into Brisbane beautifully as he prepares for back-to-back victories in next month's BTC Cup and Doomben 10,000.The seven-time Group One winner won both races in 2008 at the end of a string of five straight wins at the highest level.This autumn the Lion Cavern six-year-old has followed an identical program, finishing ninth to Scenic Blast in the Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington before making it successive Group One Australia Stakes (1200m) victories at Moonee Val

Apache Cat has settled back into Brisbane beautifully as he prepares for back-to-back victories in next month's BTC Cup and Doomben 10,000.

The seven-time Group One winner won both races in 2008 at the end of a string of five straight wins at the highest level.

This autumn the Lion Cavern six-year-old has followed an identical program, finishing ninth to Scenic Blast in the Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington before making it successive Group One Australia Stakes (1200m) victories at Moonee Valley.

He then finished 5-3/4 lengths behind the winner Takeover Target when third in the TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.

"Takeover Target was too good on the day and even if he (Apache Cat) was primed up to his best he would have found it very difficult to have beaten him. It was a fantastic effort," trainer Greg Eurell said.

"But analysing his (Apache Cat's) last two preparations, it's probably indicative that when he has failed first-up be has bounced back well at his next run.

"Not that he went bad in the TJ Smith, but I think he'll be a bit sharper at his next run."

Eurell said the gelding was in great order for his winter preparation.

"He arrived in Brisbane last Thursday. He travelled terrific and worked on the course proper on Saturday and again on Tuesday. He settled as though he's been there all his life.

"He goes to the BTC Cup on May 9, the Doomben 10,000 on May 23 and, depending on what weight he gets in the Stradbroke, it's a very slight possibility."

Apache Cat will be ridden by Damien Oliver and is $2.60 favourite with TAB Sportsbet for the BTC Cup (1200m) at Doomben on Saturday week.

He is $4.60 favourite for the Doomben 10,000 (1350m) and is quoted at $10 for the $1 million Stradbroke (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 6.