Atomic Force’s connections have made plans for an alternative overseas campaign if the Group One winner misses out on an invitation for Hong Kong’s star-studded International meeting.
The no-nonsense sprinter, who races under the Dynamic Syndications banner, is in contention for a place in the Hong Kong Sprint field next month.
Syndicator Dean Watt said he would know on Wednesday if the Galaxy winner will be one of seven international runners invited to contest the 1200-metre Sprint on December 11.
“The horse has met all the criteria and we deliberately came home early from Melbourne to get him ready (for Hong Kong),” Watt said after watching Atomic Force win a Rosehill barrier trial on Tuesday.
If Atomic Force is given the green light from Hong Kong Jockey Club officials, the six-year-old will be put on a Hong Kong flight on Sunday.
Rejection, however, won’t mean the end of trainer Darren Smith’s overseas plans for Atomic Force.
“If the Hong Kong trip doesn’t go ahead we’ll take him to New Zealand for the Railway Stakes,” Watt said.
“At set weights with penalties it is an ideal race for him.”
A Group One sprint, the Railway Stakes will be run at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day.
Australian sprinters who have met with Railway success include the Gerald Ryan-trained Recurring in 2005 and Gary Portelli’s Gold Trail in 2010.
“It’s not too much to keep him in work for New Zealand because the Railway is only two weeks after the Hong Kong race,” Watt said.
Nash Rawiller, who holds a Hong Kong booking for Atomic Force, has told Watt he would like follow the horse to New Zealand.
“After the trial Nash said he would go anywhere to ride him,” Watt said.”
Rarely a brilliant horse under trial conditions, Atomic Force was in genuine Group One form at Rosehill.
“He really went super,” Watt said. “Normally he doesn’t show much in his trials so that’s why everyone is so happy with the way he went.”
Atomic Force, who was among two late entries for an 1100m welter at Canterbury on Saturday, is the only Australian horse up for a Hong Kong invitation.
Cox Plate runner-up Jimmy Choux will represent New Zealand in the Hong Kong Mile.
AAP TURF
