3 minute read

Chris Waller is hoping for third time lucky with Atishu in the Empire Rose Stakes. 

Chris Waller reckons Atishu would not be out of place in the 'Fashions on the Field' during the Melbourne Cup Carnival. 

Ahead of the first of two potential runs during Cup week, Waller said Atishu was dappled up and ready to run at Flemington, a carnival the now seven-year-old has performed well at in the past two seasons. 

Waller is hoping to make it third time lucky in the first of Atishu's assignments, the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) on Saturday. 

And if all goes according to Waller's plan, Atishu will be back at Flemington on Saturday week for the Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m), a race she won 12 months ago. 

Atishu is lining up for her third shot in the Empire Rose Stakes, having finished fifth in 2022 and then second last year. 

"There hasn't been a lot of luck go her way in the Empire Rose," Waller said. 

"She ran second to Australia's Horse of the Year in Pride Of Jenni last year. She made a run from a long way back and just didn't quite win the race, but everything looks well. 

"She's drawn a little bit wide, but we've got James Mcdonald aboard. 

"She loves Flemington, she loves Cup week and the beauty of racing at Flemington, most horses get their chance. 

"There are vast, open spaces, a long straight, plenty of room, and hopefully luck gets taken out of the question and the best horses win the races." 

Atishu has been racing her way into form and enters Saturday's contest off a last start third in the Group 1 Might And Power (2000m) at Caulfield on October 12. 

After starting her campaign in Sydney, Atishu's last three runs have been in Melbourne and slowly the mare's coat has improved throughout the spring. 

"She's a mature mare and has been a very good horse for us for a long time," Waller said. 

"Those horses, you get to know them very well and you can see this week that she is starting to dapple up, where her coat goes to a new level. 

"If she was in the 'Fashion on the Field' she would be doing a good job for us." 

Waller said he would have no hesitation in producing Atishu again on Saturday week after running in the Empire Rose Stakes. 

Two years ago, Atishu won the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m) on the back-up and then again last year in the Champions Stakes. 

"She's a good back-up horse, but that's providing she pulls up well, her recovery is good and she's sound and happy," Waller said. 

"We did it earlier in the prep and she was placed in a Group 1 race and last year she ran to a new high winning the Champions Stakes on the final day. 

"So, we may do it again."