Atishu Secures Second Elite Victory

High-class mare Atishu claimed her second Group 1 victory when running out a comfortable winner of the Gr1 Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington under a well-executed James McDonald ride, reports loveracing.nz. A dominant winner of the Gr1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) in the autumn, Atishu (Savabeel-Posy, by No Excuse Needed) had run a mighty race when chasing home Pride Of Jenni into second in last week's Gr1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m). The 6YO mare again came from back in the field to defeat Duais by a length and three-quarters, with Young Werther again showing his liking for the Flemington circuit when finishing third. Champion trainer Chris Waller was delighted to win the Champions Stakes (formerly Mackinnon Stakes) for the first time in its 155th running. "Winning any race this week is special. It's not a race we have been overly strong in (previously) and coming into today I didn't know what to expect," Waller said. Winning rider James McDonald was convinced Atishu deserved another elite-level win on her CV. He noted, "The way the circle track has been playing, it is hard to make up ground but when it happens like that with the pace generated early, we bided our time and produced the goods. Her progress has been phenomenal."

Atishu added to a big week for James McDonald (pic: Mark Gatt)