Atlantis Crowned the Queen in South Australia

Kiwi galloper Atlantis Dream (NZ) (Elusive City) beat a high-class field of fillies and mares in the A$175,000 Group 2 Hughes Chauffeured Limosines Queen of The South Stakes (1600m) at Morphettville on Saturday.

Winning on debut as a three-year-old, the now six-years-old Atlantis Dream has won six of her 14 starts. Trained by Darren Weir, she has only raced up to 1600m, finishing second in her last start at Flemington.

“It was an excellent win,” commented Weir. “She is a great, tough mare so it was nice to get a stakes win with her.

“It wasn’t ideal coming from the back of the field but luckily Morphettville is a well-spaced track so it gave her a chance to balance up and run on.

“She has gone to the paddock now and will come back for the spring races.”

Starting from barrier 6, Nicholas Hall took his first ride on Atlantis Dream, racing at the rear of the field in the early stages. Turning for home, Atlantis Dream travelled was taken to the outside while Japhils (Choisir) led the field.

Keeping tabs on Japhils, Let’s Make Adeal (Red Ransom) ranged up to apply the pressure while Atlantis Dream and Marianne (NZ) (Darci Brahma) produced runs down the outside. Atlantis Dream overpowered her rivals in the final moments for victory by a short neck over Let’s Make Adeal and Marianne in third place.

Atlantis Dream’s first stakes win has increased her earnings to A$296,137 for her owners Mr B Ciullo, Mr IK Edwards, Mr DP D’Ortenzio, Mr SJ Mirenda, Mr PL Smits, Mr MF Halfpenny, Mr NP George, Mr FN Gallo, H A B, Mr S Carroll and Mr ID Morrish.

John Foote Bloodstock purchased the six-year-old mare for $10,000 at the 2010 Karaka Festival Sale from her breeder Haunui Farm.

The daughter of Elusive City is out of the unraced mare Contemplate (Dream Well), a half-sister to stakes placegetters Ascolini (Bertolini), placed in the Listed New Zealand St Leger and the Listed Wanganui Cup, and Astaire (Groom Dancer), placed in the Listed Mitchelson Cup.