Brilliant Victory for Atlantic Jewel

A testing defeat at the hands of It’s a Dundeel at her previous start may well have been the making of champion mare Atlantic Jewel (5m Fastnet Rock x Regard, by Zabeel) , who emerged from her first legitimate tussle to take the Group I MRC Caulfield Stakes on Saturday by four lengths. The five year-old daughter of champion sire Fastnet Rock was in a class of her own as she powered away from seasoned Group I winner Foreteller to win the 2000 metre weight-for-age feature with ears pricked for Michael Rodd. "I thought it would be a tactical nightmare but it went to script,” said winning trainer Mark Kavanagh "She just left them behind like we know she can.” Proven at the 2000 metres now with two wins from as many starts at the trip. Atlantic Jewel is the horse to beat in the Group I MVRC Cox Plate in two weeks time. A $320,000 purchase for Demi O’Byrne from the Vinery Stud draft at the 2010 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Atlantic Jewel runs in the Coolmore colours for a syndicate of owners and has won 10 of 11 starts earning $1.5 million. Bred by Greg Perry and foaled down at Vinery, Atlantic Jewel is the first living foal of the well-bred Zabeel mare Regard, a grand-daughter of Group I Cheveley Park Stakes winner Pass the Peace.