Shining Jewel in G1 NZB Memsie

Superstar mare Atlantic Jewel(Fastnet Rock) kick started the spring racing season a day early as she ran away with the Group 1 A$350,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Atlantic Jewel wins the Gorup 1 New Zealand Bloodstock Memsie Stakes.

The race was Australia’s first Group 1 event of the new season, and the second leg of the New Zealand Bloodstock Spring Weight-For-Age Championship, giving Atlantic Jewel joint top spot alongside P.B. Lawrence Stakes winner Puissance de Lune.

The five-year-old mare travelled in behind the pace set by Ajeeb (NZ), with jockey Michael Rodd allowing the long-striding mare clear air as they sat two and three horses wide in the high-class field that consisted of eight other Group 1 winners.

When the field entered the straight it was clear the mare running in the Coolmore Stud colours had the race at her mercy. Rodd asked Atlantic Jewel to quicken and she exploded away from the field to be eased down at the line for a two-and-a-quarter-length victory.

Trainer Mark Kavanagh was left speechless post-race, unable to find any words to comprehend the comeback performance after over 18 months away from the racetrack due to injury.

The win took the daughter of Fastnet Rock’s record to an unbeaten eight from eight, with the NZB Memsie Stakes becoming her third Group 1 win.

The race featured many runners kicking off their spring campaigns with many serious hopes for the Cox Plate and major Cup races running eye-catching races in behind the dominant winner.

Amongst them was a superb performance by Karaka graduate Ferlax(NZ) (Pentire), clearly the best of the rest proving he belonged in the elite level with a strong second placing.

NZB's Andrew Seabrook presenting Atlantic Jewel's connections with the Group 1 NZB Memsie Stakes trophy.

(It’s A) Dundeel (NZ) (High Chaparral) was not favoured by the inside draw and was temporarily held-up in the straight yet ran on encouragingly to finish in fourth position.

The unluckiest horse in the race was Kiwi mare Silent Achiever (NZ) (O’Reilly) as she was blocked for a run for the majority of the straight, going across the line with plenty more to give for jockey Steven Arnold.

The runs of quality stayers Super Cool (third), Green Moon (fifth) and Fiorente (sixth) were all notable fresh-up efforts as well.

Earlier in the day New Zealand-bred filly Marianne (Darci Brahma) pitched her claim for a Thousand Guineas start with victory in the first race on the card.

After the second leg of the NZB Caulfield Spring WFA Championship the title race is very close with Ajeeb (eighth) the only horse to gain points in both of the first two legs.

The Championship now moves to the Group 1 A$400,000 Underwood Stakes over 1800m on 21 September.

To view the NZB Caulfield Spring WFA Championship leader board, click here.