Atomic Force may have missed out on an invitation to Hong King but his connections are eyeing other overseas options following a last-stride victory at Canterbury on Saturday.
The Group One Galaxy winner was overlooked when invitations were issued last week for next month’s Hong Kong Sprint at the International meeting.
Atomic Force beating Tiger Tees home at Canterbury racecourse - Photo by Steve Hart
Instead, Atomic Force will head to the Group One Railway Stakes in New Zealand on New Year’s Day.
He sounded an ominous warning to his Kiwi rivals by lumping 59kg through the heavy conditions to score a last stride win in the Hyland Kids Colours For Christmas Handicap (1100m).
“That was a marvellous effort from a really honest horse,” said Dynamic Syndications’ Dean Watt who was mystified by the horse’s omission from Hong Kong.
“Credit has got to go to trainer Darren Smith who has kept this horse up for a long time. Now we’ve just got to make sure Darren keeps him going for a few more weeks and he’ll go and represent Australia over in New Zealand.”
Atomic Force ($4.60) had 62kg in the Welter but was put in the perfect position one out, one back by rising star apprentice Chad Schofield who claimed 3kg.
Tiger Tees ($2.40 fav) skipped away in the straight and looked the winner but Atomic Force warmed up late and got there by half a head in a three-way finish.
Tiger Tees and Latin News ($8) were in a dead-heat for second.
“Today we got a notification from Dubai to see if we’d be interested in taking him up there for the World Cup meeting,” Watt said.
“We’ve got a lot of options but at this stage the plan is to take him home, make sure he pulls up well and then go across to New Zealand for the Railway Stakes which is set weights and penalties.”
Atomic Force could also contest the Telegraph Handicap in New Zealand or return to Australia for a race on Magic Millions day before going for a spell.
Schofield had never ridden a Group One winning horse in a race and believes class got the six-year-old home.
“He had to do it tough today with the weight on a heavy track and with a bit of a break between his last run,” Schofield said.
“Class won him the race. He motored through the line and has bigger races to come.”
AAP TURF
