It’s Atomica’s time to shine

ATOMICA had no luck in running, though of her own doing, on both occasions she squared off with Gulfstream Park-invader ROUGH ENTRY. However, the 2022 Jamaica Derby winner can make amends for her quirkiness should Omar Walker keep her out of tight spaces in Monday’s Viceroy Trophy at a mile.

As finicky as they come, ATOMICA is infamous for throwing mid-race tantrums -ducking from ROUGH ENTRY approaching the half-mile in the February 24 Chairman’s Trophy - repeating her Mouttet Mile antics when she had shied from the American shortly after the start.

Unlike the Mouttet Mile when she got frustrated behind SHE’S MY DESTINY and decked Dane Dawkins leaving the three-furlong point, ATOMICA behaved far better among fewer horses in the Chairman’s Trophy.

Coming off the home turn six lengths behind ROUGH ENTRY, who tried to steal a march on lightweight IS THAT A FACT leaving the half-mile, ATOMICA actually gained on the battling pair after her mishap on the far side.

Closing along the rail, the five-year-old mare touched off a winded ROUGH ENTRY for second while IS THAT A FACT, who she had beaten by five lengths in the Ian Levy, won by two lengths with a 14lb advantage over the local-bred, a 17lb weight swing at a full furlong shorter.

HANDICAPS IN HER FAVOUR

Returning at the exact weight for the Viceroy Trophy, 115lb, ATOMICA, who was giving as good as she got on the lead before losing ground at a critical stage in the Chairman’s Trophy, now has the handicaps in her favour against IS THAT A FACT, notwithstanding the American reports five pounds lighter than her.

ATOMICA disputed and led the Ian Levy, carrying 126lb, retiring IS THAT A FACT’s stablemate, MAMMA MIA, a half-mile out. Running three pounds lighter than the local-bred, IS THAT A FACT attacked with vigour off the home turn, actually pointing entering the lane. However, ATOMICA rallied against the rail approaching the judges’ rostrum to pull away for a five-length victory.

ROUGH ENTRY’s glass chin, topweight 126lb, showed in the Chairman’s Trophy against IS THAT A FACT running with 101lb, suggesting holding pace could be his Achilles’ heel. After getting by MAMMA MIA coming off the turn in the Mouttet Mile, ROUGH ENTRY had no company except the tiring filly, who gave way to runner-up ABILITY.

Omar Walker is a no-nonsense rider, who doesn’t hesitate to run the red light leaving the half-mile marker. With the handicaps in ATOMICA’s favour, against IS THAT A FACT, and the trip more to her liking with ROUGH ENTRY carrying topweight, let’s hear it for not only the girl but also the local-bred.