Arrogant, is probably the best way to describe Atlantic Jewel's win in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Randwick today.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The outstanding three-year-old filly, who was returning from injury, now remains unbeaten in six career starts and will most likely push on towards the Cox plate as a leading contender in the spring.
The Mark Kavanagh-trained filly was last seen when winning the Wakeful Stakes by 7L last year at Flemginton, a run which was classed as the best a three-year-old filly has produced according to Timeform.
Atlantic Jewel, who drew wide settle toward the back of the field with jockey Michael Rodd more than happy to sit three wide the trip with Born To Rock and Celts taking up the early running.
Atlantic Jewel ambled up to the leaders at the 200m and barely looked to raise a sweat when beating Mid Summer Music by 3.8L in second with Ladys Angel back in third.
“She is just a special horse and she makes me Speechless,” said Mark Kavanagh.
“We knew that if we looked after her and could get her back to this we would be happy.”
“The original plan was to give her one more in Sydney and then give her a nice rest and head towards the spring.Michael Rodd has now ridden the three-year-old filly five times and was visibly happy with the way Atlantic Jewel returned and said she is still learning what it is all about.
“We all know she is a great horse but Kav (Mark Kavanagh) has done a wonderful job with her. That injury mightn't have been career threatening by any call but he really brought her along and just cuddled her and cuddled her and just waited for today,” Rodd said.
“All arrows were pointing to her to win like that at trackwork and trials, everything she had been doing at home was just that exciting but we couldn't really talk about it.”
“It was really arrogant. She began really well and then she just switched off like she normally does. I was able to come across and then just before the turn I rolled out to about four deep.
“I brought her to the middle of the track, and like everyone saw I just let the reins go, gave her a squeeze and she took off.
“That is probably her at her top but the beauty of it is she will get better as she gets further.”
The daughter of Fastnet Rock will most likely push on to the All Aged Stakes (1400m) to be run a Randwick on April 28.
