Atlantic Jewel not fully wound up for Memsie Stakes

Trainer Mark Kavanagh won’t be disappointed if stable star Atlantic Jewel is unable to maintain her unbeaten record at Caulfield on Saturday, admitting she is not fully wound up  for her return to racing in the Group 1 $350,000 Memsie Stakes (1400m).

Atlantci Jewel

Atlantic Jewel hasn't raced since winning the 2012 All Aged Stakes at Randwick.Photo by Steve Hart.

“She’s not screwed right down for this. I want to keep her intact as her main goal is in October,” Kavanagh told the Herald Sun.

“Where I sit right now she doesn’t have to win to please me. She could still run a big race and finish close-up.”

Atlantic Jewel, unbeaten from seven starts, is having her first run since winning the 2012 Group 1 $400,000 Ticketek All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick in April.

A 2012 Spring campaign had to be aborted when she suffered a tendon injury but after months of rehabilitation, Kavanagh has the Fastnet Rock mare back on track for this Spring which could see her line up in the Group 1 $3m Sportingbet Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 26.

After so long on the sidelines, Kavanagh says that Atlantic Jewel is vulnerable and he will be happy to see her get through the race in good order, ready for her next assignment.

“If she was going to salute it’s going to be a massive effort her to win as she hasn’t raced in 18 months. She’s going to be vulnerable,” Kavanagh said.

Punters haven’t heeded Kavanagh’s warnings and in early betting for the Memsie Stakes, Atlantic Jewel has already been backed into the $1.90 favourite.

The second pick is New Zealand star It’s A Dundeel at $5.50 with last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Green Moon the next in the market at $9.

Kavanagh will also saddle up Australian Cup winner Super Cool, a $11 chance, in the Memsie Stakes and expects the four year old to take a couple of runs to hit his top.

“I don’t think he’ll be suited by the Memsie as he normally takes a run or two to find form,” Kavanagh said.

Early Cox Plate markets have Atlantic Jewel posted as the $6.50 favourite with It’s A Dundeel and Puisannce De Lune sharing the next line of betting at $7 just in front of Super Cool at $9.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.