Atishu (NZ) Makes Explosive NZB Southern Filly Series Debut

North Island raider Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel) has soared into an equal lead in the New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year Series with a breathtaking performance in the $50,000 Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton.

Bought for $260,000 by Go Racing from Waikato Stud’s draft at Karaka 2019, Atishu won Saturday’s three-year-old fillies’ feature by seven lengths. It was her first appearance in the Southern Filly Series and she earned 7 points, moving straight into an equal lead alongside Matchmaker (NZ) (Makfi) and The Gift (NZ) (Power).

Atishu was stakes-placed in the spring, and Saturday’s black-type demolition showed that she has gone up several notches this autumn.

After dropping well back in the field, rider Kozzi Asano brought Atishu to the outside at the top of the straight and turned her loose. The $2.50 favourite swept past her dozen rivals and exploded away, scoring one of the most dominant black-type victories of the season.

“That was just amazing, she just put paid to them so quickly,” Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh told NZ Racing Desk. “She is very versatile and really coming into her own at the moment.

“Last time she ran on a rock-hard track and broke 32 seconds for the last 600 metres, whereas today the track was pretty wet and they ran a tick under 1:37 for the mile and she has done it on her ear.”

Atishu is by champion sire Savabeel out of Posy (NZ) (No Excuse Needed), who is a full-sister to the multiple Group One winner and stakes-producing broodmare Daffodil (NZ) (No Excuse Needed).

From eight starts, Atishu has now recorded three wins and four placings, earning $62,425 in stakes for the Go Racing Ring A Ring Syndicate. Her three victories have come from her last three appearances.

Saturday’s placegetters Exquisite Pearl (NZ) (Power) and Lelawala (NZ) (Niagara) moved on to the Southern Filly Series table with 4 and 2 points respectively.

With three equal leaders on 7 points, another three fillies on 4 points and three more on 2 points, it all comes down to the final leg – the $50,000 Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m) at Riccarton on April 24.

In the event of two fillies having equal points following the running of the final leg, the filly with the best finishing position in the NZB Warstep Stakes will be determined the winner of the Series.

However, Atishu is now not a guaranteed starter in that event.

“I had her ready to go to for the Warstep in a fortnight, but the way she has won today, we might have to have a look at Brisbane for the Oaks (Group One, 2200m) in early June instead,” Marsh said.

“It’s something that I will need to speak with her owners about, but when she is absolutely flying, you’d be mad not to have a crack.

“The Warstep is a lovely race to win but an Oaks win or placing at Group One level adds a lot more value to her in the future.”

Vendor	Waikato Stud Ltd
Purchaser	Go Racing (Auckland)
Breeding	Savabeel – Posy
Sale	Lot 316, Karaka 2019 Book 1, $260,000
Bred by	Waikato Stud Ltd