Atishu goes one better in Empire Rose

High-class mare Atishu (ex Posy) had unfinished business at Flemington from 12 months ago and she took care of it in stellar fashion on Saturday afternoon.

The Waikato Stud graduate had finished runner-up in the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes last year and the daughter of the farm’s champion stallion, Savabeel, went one better in style this time for the third top-flight victory of her career.

Trained by Chris Waller for Albert Bosma’s Go Racing syndication company, Atishu thundered home from back in the field to justify her favouritism and the stable’s confidence.

“She just loves Flemington and for the last few years has performed really well, including her run for second last year,” Waller said.

Atishu had showed steady improvement this preparation and went into the Empire Rose off the back of her third placing in the Gr.1 Caulfield Stakes.

“She looked a picture of health and we had confidence she was at her peak,” Waller said.

Atishu was given plenty of time to find her feet by James McDonald before picking up ground 500 metres from home.

When asked for the supreme effort, the seven-year-old willingly lengthened stride to reel in her rivals.

“Her performance last year was a winning run, I couldn’t believe we ran into a champion in Pride Of Jenni,” McDonald said.

“I rode her in work on Tuesday morning and Chris said she’ll win so that was good enough for me.”

Atishu has now won 11 of her 46 starts, including previous Group 1 successes in the Mackinnon Stakes and the Queen of the Turf Stakes.

Her stakes earnings have now topped the A$5 million mark and an outstanding return on the $260,000 Go Racing outlaid to purchase her at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale.

Atishi is a sister to the Waikato Stud-raced G3 Desert Gold S. winner Mazzolino, with their dam the No Excuse Needed mare Posy, who was twice successful up to 1400 metres.

Posy is a sister to the three-time Group 1 winner Daffodil from the family of top-flight winners Aegon, Orchestral and Good Faith.

She is also the dam Atishu’s sister Dream All Day, who has placed in all three of her starts for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, and is due to foal to Savabeel’s young associate stallion Ardrossan.