Atomic Force - The Equine Headline - Scores Win Number 10

The story earlier in the week for Atomic Force was of the Hong Kong Jockey Club snubbing Australia by not having one Aussie runner invited to run at their "international" meeting despite Atomic Force having better qualifying credentials than at least two of the internationals runners to have gained an invitation.

On Saturday afternoon Atomic Force, this weeks Equine Headline, proved what poor judgement the HK decision was when Dynamic Syndications brilliant sprinter turned the snub into positive karma proving yet again class matters and cream rises to the top.

Atomic Force showed the class of a proven Group 1 winner when on a Heavy 9 surface, lumping 59.0 kgs after originally being allotted 62.0 kgs but taking the claim for Sydney's boom apprentice Chad Schofield, Atomic Force stormed to victory in Race 3, the Hylands Kids Colours For Christmas Handicap, a Welter over 1100m.

Jumping from the outside barrier, Atomic Force was quickly into stride but was trapped wide early, before easing back, out of the speed battle to take advantage of the one / one position behind Keen Commander and the favourite Tiger Tees.

We had anticipated on the speed map that we would find the one / one but were worried that with young Chad being such a natural lightweight that he would need to carry a lot of dead weight in his saddle to get to 59.0 kgs. We were concerned not to get too far away from the leaders and we asked Chad to keep the horse balanced until straightening and wait as long as possible before asking him for a supreme effort.

Chad's ride was superb and way above his youth. Not only was Chad cool and calm under pressure, Atomic Force was spotting the placegetters 4 and 5 kilos respectfully and racing tight between the leader Tiger Tees (54.0) on the fence and New Alert (55.0) on Atomic Force's outside, Chad drove hard through the gap keeping the horse balanced and in a straight line in a tough final 150m.  It was here the class of Atomic Force shone as the horse dug deep into his intrinsic but significant will to win to go on and record a determined and courageous victory. Atomic Force (59.0) kgs scored by a half neck over News Alert (55.0) and Tiger Tees (54.0) who both dead heated for second place.

In scoring, Atomic Force recorded his 10th win from 35 runs with 6 seconds and 6 thirds and took his earnings to an impressive $759,550.

Trainer Darren Smith is also a hero in the story, having taken the horse from a winner of 2 races after he was sacked by his previous Randwick trainer as being not up to provincial class after a 3rd at Wyong, Dynamic organised for Atomic Force to head to Newcastle to be given another chance with Darren. Since then Darren has added a further eight victories and approximately $650,000 extra in prize money. He has turned him into a Group 1 winner and multiple Stakes Winner and raised his Benchmark rating from a 70 to 111.

It was a good day all round for the connections of Atomic Force. Not only was the victory rewarding, it supported the fact that we have a horse capable of being competitive in any format. Not going to HK is a blessing as we now will head to NZ for the New Years Day Gr1 Railway Stakes. Also overnight we received an inquiry if we would consider the possibility of running in the Al Quoz Sprint at the Dubai World Cup meeting on 31 March. This has increased our options and has owners living their dreams.


Atomic Force will fly out to NZ on the 21st December for the race on 1 January.