Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Early this year Atlantic Gem was disappointing trainer Ryan Bell for under-performing in her races. It was then discovered that the filly was suffering from a trapped epiglottis which badly affected her breathing.
“She was still running quite well but we thought she wasn’t quite putting in a hundred per cent,” explained Bell. “So, she had a throat operation which has been a success.”
Atlantic Gem began from the inside of the back line and was a $19.20 chance in the $50,000 group 3 Daintys Daughter Classic over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
She trailed the pacemaker Soho Honey Rider ($10) and was hopelessly blocked for a run approaching the home turn before the breeze horse Xceptional Arma ($13) began to fade and enabled Kyle Symington to ease Atlantic Gem off the pegs and into the clear.
Atlantic Gem sprinted fast to overtake Soho Honey Rider and beat that filly by a length, with $51 chance Sugar Delight running on strongly from seventh at the bell to finish third.
Atlantic Gem, who rated 1.56.4, will now contest the $150,000 WA Oaks next Friday week as one of the main fancies after being only 15TH in the rankings for the group 1 classic before her win on Friday night.
“I expect her to be suited over the longer distance (2536m) in the Oaks,” said Bell. “She has a bit of grit about her. She has had a few issues along the way. She had joint troubles early on in her career and then required a throat operation at the beginning of the year.”
Atlantic Gem is by American sire Downbytheseaside and is the second foal out of Bettors Gem, who had 40 starts for 11 wins, 13 placings and $103,276. Bettors Gem’s first foal Swingband has earned $388,149 from 13 wins and ten placings from 33 starts. Bettors Gem is a half-sister to smart three-year-old Menemsha, who as a two-year-old last year won the group 1 Westbred Classic and the group 2 Pearl Classic.
Atlantic Gem, purchased for $65,000 at the 2022 APG Perth yearling sale, has had eight starts for three wins, two placings and stakes of $49,701.
Water Lou, who also cost $65,000 as a yearling, was the $1.70 favourite on Friday night when she was restrained at the start from the outside barrier (No. 9) on the front line.
Water Lou settled down in tenth position and raced at the rear until Shannon Suvaljko sent her forward with a three-wide burst with a thousand metres to travel. She raced wide in the final circuit and fought on to finish fifth.