Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Promising filly Atlantic Gem gave a sample of her class when Kyle Symington drove the three-year-old to a smart win in the $21,000 North Coast Fiebreglass Neerabup Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
She was the $1.80 favourite who bounced straight to the front from the No. 3 barrier, and set a modest early pace before dashing home over the final quarters in 28sec. and 27.5sec. to win by just over a half-length from $21 chance Copy Cat Queen, who was last in the field of nine at the bell before flying home from the rear on the home turn.
“Surprisingly, she was relaxed out in front, but when I asked her to go, she responded well,” said Symington. “She is thriving and coming through every run very well. This is her first serious race preparation, and I expect her to come back better at her next preparation.”
Atlantic Gem, trained by Ryan Bell, surged home from the rear when second to Madam Publisher in the WA Oaks early in October, and she now has had 14 starts for four wins, four placings and $91,461 in stakes.
“She appreciated getting an easy run in front tonight,” said Bell. “She has had a few hard runs since the Oaks and has acquitted herself well. We were pretty confident she would win, but there is such an even bunch of fillies you can never be too confident.”
Atlantic Gem is by American stallion Downbytheseaside and is the second foal out of Bettors Gem, who earned $103,276 from eleven wins and 13 placings from 40 starts. Bettors Gem’s first foal is the brilliant Swingband, who was retired to stud after racing 36 times for 13 wins and ten placings for stakes of $395,079.