Jewel in the Crown – Kavanagh all smile after 2011 Wakeful Stakes

Atlantic Jewel

Atlantic Jewel has put in an impressive run to win the Wakeful Stakes

Star filly Atlantic Jewel appears to have Thursday’s $1m Crown Oaks (2500m) at her mercy after a stunning victory in the traditional up – the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes(2000m) at Flemington today.

Starting the prohibitive odds of $1.26, the daughter of Fastnet Rock and Regard looked a different class to her opponents when running away to win under hands and heels by seven lengths.

Going into today’s event Atlantic Jewel was a $1.80  favourite with Tabsportsbet for the Oaks after dominant wins in all four of her starts including the Group1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 12.

After her Wakeful triumph she was turned into $1.15 for the blue riband event.

Trainer Mark Kavanagh was all smiles after the race.

“I haven’t seen much like that before.” Kavanagh said.

“I wanted to tip her out after the Guineas but she improves, what can you do?

“If she does well tonight I will certainly consider running her in the Oaks on Thursday.

Asked when did he know he had such a good filly?
“A long time ago, she took a bit of time but  before she won a maiden I said she would win the 1000 Guineas.”

Atlantic Jewel settled third last in the field of ten which was led by La Dolce Vita in a slow to steady pace.

The field crammed up coming to the turn after Michael Rodd aboard the favourite made the first move at the 600m.

At the turn she joined the leaders and sailed away beating Rahveel $71 with Dowager Queen $9 the best of the beaten runners another half-length away third.

Dowager Queen had settled last and made ground but was never a threat.

Rodd was ecstatic with the effort.

“That is probably the easiest win I have ever ridden, she absolutely lapped them” Rodd said.

“I had the race under control from probably the 600m, I slowly edged to the front and probably got there too early but she was just going so easy.

“I still have got to give her a hit out, she needs a fitness run if she does go on to the Oaks.

“I couldn’t be more happy with her and how Mark Kavanagh has handled her.

“Against her own age and sex she destroys them.”

Finish No. Horse Jockey Trainer Weight Margin
1st 1 ATLANTIC JEWEL(5) Michael Rodd Mark Kavanagh 58.0 2-4.98
2nd 6 RAHVEEL(7) Damien Oliver Leon Corstens 54.0 7.0L
3rd 4 DOWAGER QUEEN(6) Craig Williams Graeme & Debbie Rogerson 55.0 7.5L
4th 5 GLIDING(3) Luke Nolen Bart Cummings 55.0 8.0L
5th 3 BLISS STREET(9) Steven Arnold Daniel Morton 55.5 8.1L
6th 8 GIOE(1) Corey Brown Michael Kent 54.0 11.1L
7th 2 PANE IN THE GLASS(10) Joao Moreira John P Thompson 55.5 11.5L
8th 10 LA DOLCE DIVA(4) Glyn Schofield Mark Kavanagh 54.0 18.5L
9th 9 WHEN MY BABY(2) Dwayne Dunn Michael Moroney 54.0 18.6L
10th 7 FALLEN ONE(8) Brenton Avdulla Grahame Begg 54.0 19.1L

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