Dynamic Syndications dual Gr1 winning sprinter will hone his skills in Melbourne in the next 3 weeks as he prepares to return from a 7 month lay off after a previous long preparation when last in work.
Atomic Force is still a little on the tubby side which is exactly where we wanted him at this early point where his grand final is not until the Patinack Classic on 10 November.
At this stage we have mapped out a nice programme for him which is most likely to see our big boy resume at Moonee Valley on Saturday 25/8 over 1000m under set weights and penalties where he will carry 60.0 kgs. Alternatively he would start 7 days later in The Heath Stakes (Sportpix Stakes) at Caulfield over 1100m under the same conditions.
A decision will not be made as to which way we head until we determine how the horse has settled in and has been working and how his fitness level lifts over the next few weeks. With at least 4-5 more fast work mornings still available before kicking off, his preparation has been timed to the minute.
Atomic Force has had 2 trials in Sydney before heading to Melbourne. His first trial on a heavy track at Rosehill on 17/7 was the first time he had a full gallop this time in and he was just sent around for an bit of a blow. Then he trailed on Monday 30/7 at Randwick where he was a bit more forward in condition but still, it was the equivalent of his normal first up trials of the past.
However the horse pleased the team the most on Saturday morning (4/8) where his work on the course proper at Newcastle was the sharpest he has done this preparation. Not known to be a flash track worker, Atomic Force was particularly sharp when working on his own and zipped up the running in good style.
He returned to Darren Smith's stables where he licked out his feed tin and later had a bit of a snooze before being taken for a walk and pick mid afternoon.
Then at 4:30pm he was prepared for his trip to Melbourne. On a specially hired horse float he was dressed up for the trip and with his strapper on board and trainer Darren Smith and the float driver upfront, the truck with its valuable cargo rolled out the gates of Williamtown at 5:00pm. After 5 hours, they stopped at Tarcutta where "Tommy" was taken off for a short walk and a heavier rug was added to keep him warm. Given a chance to get his head down for 30 minutes, the truck was reloaded and this time Darren slipped in behind the wheel for a 4 hour stint taking them to 90 minutes out of Melbourne. Again the valuable cargo was unloaded at 3:00am for a 30 minute break allowing Tommy to stretch his legs and get his head down before re-boarding for the final 90 minute run into the stables.
Arriving just before 5:00am Tommy walked off the truck bright and happy despite the length of the trip and was placed into his stable.
Moments later he was tucking into his feed tin and into the water bucket as if he had been there many times before.
On Sunday afternoon after having a 10 hour rest, Tommy was taken for a walk around his familiar facilities he previously had called home 12 months ago.
As the photo shows he was bright and alert. Tommy will have an easy time on Monday and swim on Monday morning and afternoon. It will be Tuesday before he gets a saddle on his back for a trot and canter preparing for his first scheduled gallop later this week.
At this stage we are delighted with Atomic Force and every indication is suggesting he has returned as good if not better than he finished off last preparation. Being a little older, after a long lay off he will naturally take a bit of extra time to gain peak fitness. Also this time in, now he is a dual Gr1 winner, he will be best treated at WFA events then SW&P. Handicaps because he is now an expected rating of 110 or 111, will not be possible because he would be too badly treated at the weights.
@Atomic_Force
Finally, Tommy has proven a hit on Twitter ! Are you following him ? He is found at
@Atomic_Force where ever since we gave him an iPad, he has proven to be both hilarious and quite intellectual, giving his followers a valuable insight in what life is like being a dual Gr1 winner ! A must follow for all racing enthusiasts on twitter !