Group One-winning mare Atishu will be seeking redemption in Saturday’s Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington after finishing runner-up in the race last year to Pride of Jenni.
She backed up a week later to win the Gr.1 Champions Stakes (2000m) in the hands of leading hoop James McDonald, who will don New Zealand syndicator Go Racing’s silks once more and reunite with Atishu this weekend.
The Chris Waller-trained mare has been building towards a peak performance in the race, having finished unplaced in her first three starts this preparation before running third in the Gr.1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) last month.
Go Racing General Manager Matt Allnutt has received positive reports from Waller in the lead-up to Saturday and is excited about her prospects in the Flemington feature, for which she is a $4.40 favourite with TAB bookmakers.
“She finished second in this race last year and ran really well that day and made up a lot of ground in the straight after Pride of Jenni split the field,” Allnutt said.
“Her last run for third was very good and we think she has been building nicely. She has got the right type of form going into the race tomorrow. The draw (9) is a bit awkward, but James McDonald is in the saddle and he has won a Group One on her before at this time of year.
“He gets on with Atishu and knows her really well, and it just increases the confidence levels having James there.
“She came through her last race really well and she galloped on Tuesday morning at Flemington and her work was super. She looks to be peaking nicely for Saturday’s race and Chris is more than happy.”
After posting 10 victories, two of those at Group One level, Atishu was set to be sold earlier this year, however, her ownership group voted to carry on racing her for another year, and they are hoping their decision pays off this weekend.
“It was a big decision (not to sell her),” Allnutt said. “I know a lot of the owners ummed and ahed and changed their mind two or three times a day, but the decision was made and here we are as favourite in a A$1 million race.
“This was part of why the owners decided to carry on, just the excitement and being involved in these massive racedays with such good horses in Group Ones.
“It wasn’t so much about the money, it was more about the excitement and ride Atishu has taken them on in her career, and tomorrow hopefully she writes another chapter and proves it was the right decision.
“There are a group of them (owners) going over tomorrow, and there will be more of them on course next Saturday when she races in the Champions Stakes."