Atishu blows rivals away

Savabeel mare Atishu made short work of her rivals at Flemington on Saturday afternoon to secure a
deserved victory in the G2 Matriarch S.

The Waikato Stud-bred and sold mare turned her fortunes around under a perfect ride from James McDonald following her fifth placing last weekend in the G1 Empire Rose S.

“She’s always been a bit unlucky and has threatened to win a decent one and she’s got a good prize today,” trainer Chris Waller said.

“Even last Saturday she didn’t have a whole lot of luck so it’s great to see.”

Atishu settled in sixth spot off the fence before McDonald drove her to the front 200 metres from home and the five-year-old won with a good degree of authority.

“This was a great race for her as a back-up plan and she has won in New Zealand over 2000 metres and she appreciated getting back out over it,” Waller said.

Atishu was purchased at Karaka by Go Racing’s Albert Bosma’s for $260,000 and was a dual Listed winner from Stephen Marsh’s stable before relocating to Waller’s operation.

She is a sister to the Waikato Stud-raced Mazzolino, placed twice at stakes level in a brief career, with their dam the No Excuse Needed mare Posy, who won two races.

Posy is a sister to the three-time Group 1 winner Daffodil from the family of Aegon and Good Faith, both also successful elite level, and has an unraced juvenile sister to Atishu and has since returned to Savabeel.