Whilst SNITZERLAND was a brilliant winner of the Challenge Stakes in
Track Record Time and full deserved the plaudits, and walking headline
HAY LIST finished out of the money, still despite being no match for the
winner, it was nice to see him come back to racing without any excuses.
Dynamic’s own ATOMIC FORCE performed an equal equine miracle in lining
up on Saturday. Master horseman Darren Smith has been working around the
clock for months nursing him back to health and injury free to get back
to the races. Our 7yo gelding has copped his fair share of injury
concerns since being badly hampered and injured in NZ in the Telegraph
Hcp, a Gr1 race which saw him the victim of terrible interference in the
run caused by wayward local hoops.
The horse came out of that event with damage to his off side cannon bone
and the resulting splint that developed involved the tendon.
Still with Mother Nature and veterinary science combining, slowly but surely ATOMIC FORCE is back and competitive.
Now the 7yo gelding has given all connections a pleasing smile as the horse came through the event unharmed and bright.
On Saturday the run was very demanding. The 1000m trip is not a distance
Atomic Force appreciates. Still he put in a grand effort.
In fact, when we look at his sectional splits, our old boy was terrific
noting that Tommy Berry was kind to the horse over the last furlong when
not a winning position, Atomic Force ran faster sectional times home
than both HAY LIST and TIGER TEES:
ATOMIC FORCE HAY LIST TIGER TEES
1000m in 57.08 1000m in 56.56 1000m in 56.74
800m in 44.10 800m in 43.80 800m in 43.86
600m in 33.42 600m in 33.48 600m in 33.36
400m in 22.68 400m in 22.88 400m in 22.86
200m in 11.92 * 200m in 12.08 200m in 12.06
* Note: Both Hay List & Tiger Tees were aggressively ridden to the
line whilst Atomic Force who was not in a winning position was allowed
to run along under his own steam.
Our rider Tommy Berry reported he didn’t knock him about the final
furlong when he was not in a position to be a competitive chance of
weighing-in. He reported the run was full of merit it was just the fact
he was off the bit chasing such a hot speed as this does not suit him.
He’s had a big blow pulling up and will be so much better in the coming
weeks with fitness improvement and getting up in trip. Tommy felt he
went terrific but was looking for further where, with a slower early
tempo to allow him to balance and finish off rather than chasing from
the start. Especially from a wide draw the horse constantly seems to
attract.
This was also Hugh Bowman’s opinion after his recent trial ride, where
he felt the horse was looking for 1200m then and the 1000m would be a
touch sharp and is in alignment with Nash Rawiller who last preparation
also felt the horse now he is older, is looking for seven furlongs.
As the preparation continues, we are excited about the opportunity now
to getting him out in distance to 1400m or more if opportunities
present. In the meantime we have a variety of options available and we
will assess them all to pick out the right pathway.