MIDWAY down the home straight in Saturday night’s Group 3 Hondo Grattan Stakes it looked as if Atomic Red would have to settle for a valiant defeat, but there was still another twist to play out in the Menangle Park feature.
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Despite being first up, working three wide early then facing the breeze in the 1,609 metres race which was run at a cracking pace, Atomic Red found something left in reserve.
He kicked once more and went on to snatch a narrow short-half-head victory for The Lagoon trainer Steve Turnbull and his driver/daughter Amanda Turnbull.
It was a fitting finish to the race given Hondo Grattan shot to fame when coming from behind to win the 1973 Inter Dominion Final by a head. He was also trained and driven by Steve Turnbull’s father – Tony ‘AD’ Turnbull.
A four-year-old Rocknroll Hanover x Shoutaloud horse, Atomic Red drew barrier five for the feature race. It was his first start since placing second in the Group 1 NSW Breeders Challenge final on June 25, 2017, so he started third in the line of betting at $7.60.
When the green light was given, Amanda Turnbull pushed forward to make it a line of four hunting for the lead, eventually taking a sit outside early leader Our Uncle Sam.
Down the back $2.10 favourite Let It Ride charged to the lead, but as they balanced for home following a 26.8 seconds third sectional, Atomic Red hit the front.
He was then tackled by Gotta Go Ya Hu ($24.40), but Atomic Red kicked again to take the honours in a career best 2:50.3 mile rate.
