Atlantic Gem prevails at long odds

Lightly raced filly Atlantic Gem (Downbytheseaside) caused a harness racing boilover when she took out the Group 3 $50000 Dainty’s Daughter 3YO fillies classic at Gloucester Park last night.

 ATLANTIC GEM REPLAY

Driver Kyle Symington was drawn behind the pole marker Soho Honey Rider and followed her as she held the lead without too much trouble.

From her wide barrier odds on favourite Water Lou was taken back to the rear of the field by her driver Shannon Suvaljko who made her move before turning into the straight with over a lap to travel. Although she steadily made ground out wide she never looked as if was going to haul in the leaders. Further Soho Vesper Lind who had the one out one back trail pulled out in front making Water Lou travel even wider.

At this stage Atlantic Gem was looking for a run and in the home straight Kyle Symington eased the filly one out and she stormed past Soho Honey Rider who was from disgraced in holding on to second with Sugar Delight coming from well back to get tired.

Atlantic Gem rated 1.56.4 for the 2130 metres and the third quarter of 27.9 contributed to Water Lou not being able to make up ground while being so wide.

Despite the long odds, Symington said “I was pretty confident. She was my best drive for the night.

“We just needed luck from the draw and we got that. I was strangling her around the bend and when the gap came she just took it”.

“So hopefully that’s enough to get her into the Oaks”.

“When we saw the rankings we were a bit disappointed because we thought she was an Oaks filly”.

The result now throws open the WA Oaks to be run in a fortnight. Water Lou was expected to be a clear favourite but no doubt her trainer Mike Reed will monitor her progress up until the big race when deciding whether to run her.

Atlantic Gem is trained at Baskerville by Ryan Bell who has been more than a capable driver in the past having piloted Power of Tara to win the 2009 Group 1 Fremantle Cup. However Symington who recently returned from a three month trip to the USA has driven Atlantic Gem in most of her races.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink