Racing’s superstar Atlantic Jewel made a stunning return to the racetrack with an awesome display to win in the Group 1 $350,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield today.
Atlantic Jewel scores a stunning win in the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Having her first run since winning the 2012 Group 1 $400,000 Ticketek All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick sixteen months ago, Atlantic Jewel kept her unbeaten record intact scoring her eighth win and third Group 1.
Trainer Mark Kavanagh has nursed Atlantic Jewel back to winning form after she suffered a tendon injury and was lost for words as she played with a star studded weight for age field.
Kavanagh could only answer in short phrases in post-race interviews following the two and a quarter lengths victory that will see her firm further in Cox Plate betting after heading the markets since they were released.
“Yes it is,” Kavanagh replied when asked if it was hard to put into words the stunning performance.
“I reckon she is,” Kavanagh responded to the statement she is unbelieveable.
“It was pretty hot,” he added.
His next answer was “No”, if he could describe the feeling of getting her to win a Group 1 first up.
“Sorry I’m speechless,” was his next response.
Michael Rodd rode a super confident race, giving Atlantic Jewel ($2.20 favourite) plenty of galloping room in the middle stages before letting her rip in the straight, putting a four lengths gap in the rest of the field before winning officially by two and quarter lengths from Ferlax ($21) and her stablemate Super Cool ($17).
“We know how good she is, The only thing today that was going to beat her today was bad luck or a bad ride,” Rodd said.
“I thought I was going to get over easy enough early, but then the pace really did slacken.
“As long as I had a bit of cover and I’ve got her in galloping room because she’s got such a big stride.”
“As soon as I got to the half mile and in that position the race was over.”
Rodd had Atlantic Jewel poised on the home turn and was reluctant to let her go too early, mindful of the fact that she was first up from a lengthy spell.
But when Rodd did let her go, she responded in the only way she could and made the rest of the field look second rate.
“I got a bit toey, I wanted see what was going on under that engine there, under the bonnet, gave her a squeeze. She lets go so quick, it’s an amazing feeling to be on top of her. It was good to see her put panels on the others so quickly,” Rodd said.
Stablemate Super Cool put in a great run first up and will also push on towards the Group 1 $3m Sportingbet Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 26.
