Meticulous ACT veteran Norm Gardner has exciting Atom Eve primed from a spell for the TAB $40,000 Highway Plate (1100m) at Hawkesbury on Saturday, leading into a bigger occasion.
Following the unbeaten speedster’s Randwick Highway success in January, Gardner spelled her and planned for the Hawkesbury episode to be the build up for a Listed three-year-old fillies’ event at the prestigious Scone Carnival second week of May.
“She’s come back a stronger and more mature filly, she’s been in work a good while now, had a recent jump out and her track work has been really pleasing,” said Gardner of his “pocket rocket”.
“Fitness won’t be an issue, she’s only had a month off from the track, she’s ready, 1100m is ideal.
“We’ll claim again with Kayla Nisbet as she’s ridden her from the start, knows the filly inside out.
“All going well Saturday, then to that listed at Scone.”
From her early education, Gardner has been convinced Atom Eve (I Am Invincible) has city-class talent, maybe even Listed qualities.
He bred her from his performed mare Lucifina who was placed seven times in town and lost a Randwick race on protest.
Atom Eve’s rise has been spectacular.
From a modest Albury maiden win in November to a near track record Canberra win, then to Randwick Highway success in January where she showed admirable courage and now listed aspirations.
Carrying a minimal 51kg at headquarters after Nisbet’s claim, Atom Eve looked beaten when she was headed at the Randwick rise but kept rallying.
Gardner concluded the high pressure race had taken enough out of the lightly framed filly and spelled her.
Regarded for patience and placement, Gardner resisted the temptation to contest last month’s $125,000 Canberra Guineas on Atom Eve’s home track and planned for Hawkesbury into Scone.
If there’s an issue for the diminutive filly, its increasing weights for success, hence Gardner’s retention of Nisbet’s 2.5kg claim.
Atom Eve will carry 54kg at Hawkesbury and first up will be tested to the limit by Noble Joey and Bid Of Faith.
– Racing NSW
