The prestige of a Sir Rupert Clarke Charity Cup is a far cry from the international fanfare of a Melbourne Cup but Perry, a Masterton bloodstock agent who manages the racing team of Wellington's Lib Petagna, says the stakes are just as high for Atlante this weekend.
The four-year-old Fastnet Rock stallion has a stud career ahead of him once his
racing days are over by virtue of his Gr. 1 2000 Guineas win under the guidance
of Cambridge trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman.Transferred to the Australian stable of John, Wayne and Michael Hawkes after his autumn campaign, Atlante is chasing an important Australian Group One win that would significantly enhance his stud value.
"It would be like winning a couple of Melbourne Cups for us. I told Wayne Hawkes that the other day and he said 'thanks very much for the extra pressure'," Perry said.
"We've already had a fair bit of interest in him from studs. He was always going to be in demand as a Group One-winning son of Fastnet Rock who has won a stakes race in Australia but winning a Group One over there would do everything for him as a future stallion."
A first-up winner of the Listed Drummond Golf Stakes at Moonee Valley earlier this month, Atlante opened at $11 in Australia in an even market headed by Dissident at $6.50, a winner of the Gr. 1 Memsie Stakes and Gr. 1 Makybe Diva Stakes at his last two starts.
"He had a nice quiet jumpout last Friday and he was impressive in that. He settled well and came through it well," Perry said.
"He's in great condition. We couldn't be happier with him. We've just got to hope for a win. He ran Dissident to a head when he was second in the Hobartville Stakes in the autumn and he's in six kilos better this time. Dissident has obviously improved but so has Atlante."
Meanwhile, Perry says Caulfield Cup favourite Lucia Valentina, who also sports Petagna's colours, has bounced through her sixth placing in last weekend's Gr. 1 George Main Stakes and the Tramway Stakes winner is on track for her next assignment in Saturday week's Gr. 1 Turnbull Stakes.
"She's great. She'll be on a float to Melbourne on Sunday and all going well will go the Turnbull Stakes and Caulfield Cup," Perry said. - NZ Racing Desk
