Atishu outstanding at Riccarton
Talented filly Atishu continued on her winning way in dramatic fashion at Riccarton on Saturday, in the Selwyn Rakaia Vet Services Three-Year-Old (1400m).
Ridden by Kozzi Asano from barrier thirteen, the Go Racing Ring a Ring Syndicate-owned filly knuckled over and missed the start of the race before storming home to win by half-a-neck over Lelawala and dual stakes winner Showemhowitsdone.
“She was obviously outstanding today,” syndicate manager Albert Bosma said. “She missed the start and she was probably 12-lengths from the leader at the 600 metre mark.
“They ran the last 600m in 33.45 off the front and she got up and won so her last sectional was phenomenal.”
It was the second win in a row for the Stephen Marsh-trained filly who was successful at Counties earlier this month.
“She was very good at her last start too,” Bosma said. “She won by a neck but it was eight lengths back to the third horse, Florentia and she went on to win last week too.
“We’ve always thought she is a serious filly, she was stakes placed in the spring and then she had a break and she wasn’t quite ready to come back for the feature three-year-old races, but she has a bright future.”
Bosma confirmed Atishu would continue on her southern campaign with the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m) on April 10 and the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (1600m) two weeks later her targets.
Bred by Waikato Stud, Atishu is by champion sire Savabeel out of Posy a winning sister of Champion 3YO Daffodil.
She was purchased by Go Racing out of Waikato Stud’s 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Book 1 draft.
Bosma was equally excited about the future of two-year-old filly Art De Triomphe.
The Andrew Carston-trained daughter of Vadamos was third on debut in the Petersens Jewellers Ladies Bracelet Two-Year-Old (1000m).
“It was a big field and she just got squeezed out of the barriers and was pushed back to be last of the pack, but she stormed home wide for third – if she’d jumped away cleanly, she would have won the race,” Bosma said.
“Sam Spratt (Jockey) said she’s very talented and she has more to give, so we’re really excited about her.”
Art De Triomphe is being aimed towards the Listed Berkley Stud Champagne Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton on May 8.
Meanwhile in Sydney, Group One winner Miss Sentimental showed improvement in the Group Three Epona Stakes, finishing sixth in the Soft7 conditions carrying the topweight of 59kgs.
“She was much better yesterday,” said Bosma. “She was carrying 5kgs more than most of the field and she got back from her draw but it was her first time on a wet track in Sydney and she came home really well for sixth and was only beaten two-and-a-half lengths.”
The Chris Waller-trained mare will have her next start in the Gr.2 Chairman’s Handicap (2600m) next weekend.
“She’ll get a far lower weight under handicap conditions and the step up in distance should see her improve further and hopefully there will still be some rain around,” Bosma said.
Miss Sentimental, who raced as Sentimental Miss in New Zealand, also holds a nomination for the Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) on April 10.
Photo: Race Images South Island