Chris Waller is looking to pick up another Group 1 win with Atishu at Flemington.
The mare has joined the trainer’s Flemington team ahead of the Group 1 All-Star Mile (1600m) on Saturday which will be followed by the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) three weeks later.
Atishu is a dual Group 1 winner at Flemington having taken the Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at last year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival while 12 months earlier the mare won the Champions Stakes (2000m) having finished second in the Empire Rose at her previous outing.
At her most recent appearance at Flemington, Atishu chased home Via Sistina in last year’s Champions Stakes.
Waller said the granting of Group 1 status for the All-Star Mile made the trip south for Atishu an attractive proposition despite their being a reduction prize money.
“It’s come back in prize money, but in my opinion, it’s added more value by being a Group 1,” Waller said.
“What a Group 1 does it adds value, not just to the horse, not only Atishu, but her mother, her brothers, her sisters and the further down.”
Atishu arrives in Melbourne having had one start for the campaign, finishing seventh in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on February 15.
Waller said the mare ran well first-up and had benefitted from the run.
“She ran behind Via Sistina and Fangirl and that day she drew wide, she got back and finished off nicely,” Waller said.
“She’s trained on really well since and has had a couple of gallops since back in Sydney.
“She loves Flemington and is a multiple Group 1 winner here. She loves the mile, so that’s good timing, and then it will be on to the Australian Cup from there.”
Waller said the Flemington circuit suited Atishu’s style of racing where she can balance early.
“Flemington is a fantastic track. All horses get their chance,” Waller said.
“It has a lovely, long straight, a sweeping bend and it’s always a good surface, very consistent.
“Atishu relishes those sorts of conditions and track, and it suits her racing style. She likes to be left alone, build momentum and finish off strong.
“I think all tracks should strive to be like Flemington if we could get it 52 weeks of the year.”
