Atishu Joins Leading Sydney Barn

Go Racing syndicator Albert Bosma believes the best time to send New Zealand horses to Australia is when they’re on the way up rather than when there’s nothing left to prove at home. According to racingnews.co.nz, that philosophy is the main reason that quality filly Atishu (Savabeel-Posy, by No Excuse Needed) has moved across the Tasman to the Chris Waller stable for her 4YO racing season. Owned by the Go Racing Ring a Ring Syndicate, Atishu won the last four of her nine New Zealand starts for Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh, including two Listed races at Riccarton - the NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m) and the New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m). Atishu still has a rating of 82 and Bosma said there are many more options for her in Sydney this spring. “We’ve got to take advantage of the fact we think she is potentially a superstar but that she’s also at a rating that she has enormous earning potential through the spring in Australia,” Bosma said. “In New Zealand, probably the only race for her in spring was the Couplands Mile (Gr2, 1600m). Otherwise, she would be tackling weight-for-age at Hastings, but even if she ran second or third in one of those races then she’s going to get crucified in the ratings, and her opportunity in ratings races in Australia is [then] gone.” If all goes well the Savabeel filly could be aimed at the Gr1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) on October 2 and the A$7.4 million Golden Eagle (1500m) on October 30, but Bosma said the regular raceday prizemoney makes it worthwhile to go to Sydney regardless.

Atishu is an exciting spring prospect (pic: Race Images)