Atmospherical chasing Group win
Atmospherical will be out to enhance her CV when she resumes at Caulfield in the Group Three Sir John Monash Stakes.
And trainer Robert Smerdon believes the talented mare has drawn an ideal barrier to give her every chance to sprint over the top of her rivals.
The rising six-year-old will be starting her second preparation for the Smerdon stable on Saturday after two unplaced runs in the W J Adams Stakes and her last-placed finish in Oakleigh Plate earlier this year.
“She’s a Listed winner and they’re looking to win a Group race with her,” Smerdon said.
“When I had her last preparation she had a very short break after the spring and we were always struggling with her condition-wise.
“She’s had a better break. She’s in better shape.”
Atmospherical won a barrier trial at Pakenham on the synthetic track recently and Smerdon believes she’s fit enough for the 1100m in Saturday’s weight-for-age sprint.
He says barrier three in the field of 16 is crucial to the mare’s chances, given her racing style.
“I think she’s drawn the barrier she needs to draw because you’ve got to smother her up and sit back and then you need things to unfold,” Smerdon said.
“You’ve got to control her and have the last crack at them.
“From a wide gate it’s very hard, but she’s drawn the right gate on Saturday to achieve that.
“We’re pretty happy with her.
“It’s a tough test for her but I think she’s ready.”
Atmospherical won twice at Listed level when trained in Sydney by David Pfieffer and is also Group placed behind Chautauqua and Flamberge in the Rubiton Stakes last year.
Fast `N’ Rocking, who was fourth in the Group One Goodwood at his most recent start, is the $4.60 favourite ahead of Wild Rain, Girl Guide and 2014 Monash Stakes winner Lord Of The Sky at $6.
Atmospherical, to be ridden by Nick Hall, is at $8.50.