Racing: Atacama heads for Cups

Atacama proved too strong for Chambord in the Matamata Cup on Saturday. Photo / Thinkstock

Strong finish for 1600m win at Matamata a likely prelude to success over more ground.

When Shaun Ritchie did up the girth on Atacama before Saturday's Matamata Cup, it flashed through his mind for a second that he might have been too easy on the classy mare.

Atacama and Mark Du Plessis came with the last dash to run down the favourite, Chambord, for a stylish victory.

Ritchie says he'll be following the same training pattern as Atacama heads into the big staying cups of early summer.

"She races best when she's fresh and I'll be keeping her that way whenever possible."

The Cambridge trainer knows he's got the right material as his mare heads towards the Counties and Waikato Cups.

"She finished third in the Counties Cup last year and wasn't in as good a shape then as she is now.

"We had a lot of trouble with bruised heels last season and we had to patch her through, but she's fine in that area now. She's improved out of sight this preparation and I like the way she attacked the line like a bulldog this time."

Chambord fought hard but Atacama had the last run at him.

Ritchie believes Atacama will comfortably race closer to the speed as she steps up in distance.

It's that time of the season -- the time when you take close notice of the emerging horses.

One of them is Bonniegirl, easy winner of the 3-year-old sprint at Matamata. Du Plessis was under instructions to ride Bonniegirl like the best horse in the race and he did exactly that.

The Darci Brahma filly cruised past them in the closing stages and looks the type to continue on. "She's learning all the time," said co-trainer Andrew Forsman.

"She relaxes so well and there is no reason why she won't run 1600m."

The stable has always had a bit of an opinion of Lady Kalimara, winner of the 1600m maiden. The patient policy of waiting for the High Chaparral mare to strengthen appears to be paying dividends.

Lady Kalimara finished strongly into third at Ruakaka on October 1 and did the same to run past the leaders in the closing stages on Saturday.

She looks every bit a 2000m type and will shine at that distance when she fully develops.

Delago's Secret could not have made a bigger impression in winning when resuming over 1600m at Matamata. He looks a good-quality stayer in the making the way he came from last to score. He can be solidly supported from this point.

Telepathic's big finish into second over 1200m when resuming at Randwick on Saturday showed she has come back up beautifully as a 4-year-old mare for the Logan stable.

Although no slug at 1200m, Telepathic will shine when she steps up in distance.

Cups on agenda

*Atacama proved too strong for Chambord in Matamata Cup.
*Trainer Shaune Ritchie is keen on a Cups campaign.
*Bonniegirl looks a 1600m prospect after an easy sprint success.