Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel) may not be mentioned in the same breath as some of Chris Waller’s champions past and present, but the mare is far from a spent force on the racetrack.
The seven-year-old will be chasing a third Group 1 win at Flemington and her fourth in total when she lines up in the Australian Cup at Flemington on Saturday.
The same age as Pride Of Jenni and Deny Knowledge who have both improved as they have aged, Atishu also fits into that category.
Atishu registered her third Group 1 win last spring when successful in the Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington before chasing home her stablemate Via Sistina in the Champions Stakes (2000m) a week later.
A year prior, Atishu has finished second in the Empire Rose before winning the Champions Stakes.
With two runs under the belt this campaign, her latest being a closing fifth in the Group 1 All-Star Mile (1600m) on March 8, Waller’s assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said Atishu would relish the extra trip on Saturday.
“Her runs have been good and it’s well documented that she gets better the deeper she gets into a preparation,” Duckworth said.
“She always carries plenty of condition and her best runs are usually on the quick back-up.
“She’s coming here off the back of a three-week gap, so we’ve made a conscious effort that she’s trimmed up a little bit fitter and a little bit lighter and not carrying as much condition as she does so well between runs.”
The All-Star Mile was run at a slow tempo with the pace increasing from the home turn, which did not suit Atishu who was outsprinted.
However, the mare did work to the line solidly to finish fifth, just under three-and-a-half lengths from the winner Tom Kitten.
Duckworth expects Saturday’s contest, with Pride Of Jenni and Deny Knowledge engaged, to be run more truly which may assist the Waller-trained mare.
“In terms of race shape, she’s instantly in the back-half, regardless of Pride Of Jenni and Deny Knowledge being in there,” Duckworth said.
“But the hot tempo should allow her to cruise into it and she loves Flemington, so there’s a lot to like about it, but it’s a seriously good Group 1 contest.”
Duckworth said the stable was keeping an open mind as to where Atishu may head following Saturday’s outing.
The Group 1 Queen Of The Turf (1600m) at Randwick on April 12, a race Atishu won in 2023, is a possibility, as is the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) on the same day.
“If she was to beat them all on Saturday, there’s no reason why she can’t go into the Queen Elizabeth,” Duckworth said.
“But we’ll get through Saturday and then work out where we head.”
