Atishu may not carry the same reputation as some of Chris Waller’s past and present stars, but she remains a formidable competitor on the track.
The seven-year-old mare is set to chase her third Group 1 victory at Flemington and fourth overall when she contests the Australian Cup at Flemington this Saturday.
Sharing the same age as Pride Of Jenni and Deny Knowledge, who have both thrived with age, Atishu fits the mold of a horse improving over time.
Last spring, she secured her third Group 1 triumph in the Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington before finishing as the runner-up to stablemate Via Sistina in the Champions Stakes (2000m) just a week later.
The previous year, Atishu finished second in the Empire Rose before claiming victory in the Champions Stakes.
Now, with two runs under her belt this campaign, including a closing fifth-place finish in the Group 1 All-Star Mile (1600m) on March 8, assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth is confident the additional distance will work in her favor.
“Her runs have been good and it’s well documented that she gets better the deeper she gets into a preparation,” Duckworth said.
“She always carries plenty of condition and her best runs are usually on the quick back-up.
“She’s coming here off the back of a three-week gap, so we’ve made a conscious effort that she’s trimmed up a little bit fitter and a little bit lighter and not carrying as much condition as she does so well between runs.”
The All-Star Mile unfolded at a slow early tempo before quickening around the home turn, which did not suit Atishu’s racing style. Despite this, she still closed well to finish fifth, less than three-and-a-half lengths behind winner Tom Kitten.
With Pride Of Jenni and Deny Knowledge in the field, Duckworth expects Saturday’s race to be run at a more genuine pace, which could benefit Atishu.
“In terms of race shape, she’s instantly in the back-half, regardless of Pride Of Jenni and Deny Knowledge being in there,” Duckworth said.
“But the hot tempo should allow her to cruise into it and she loves Flemington, so there’s a lot to like about it, but it’s a seriously good Group 1 contest.”
The stable remains open-minded about Atishu’s next target after Saturday.
Potential options include the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf (1600m) at Randwick on April 12, a race she won in 2023, or the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) on the same day.
“If she was to beat them all on Saturday, there’s no reason why she can’t go into the Queen Elizabeth,” Duckworth said.
“But we’ll get through Saturday and then work out where we head.”