ATOMIC GOZEN TOUGHS IT OUT

ATOMIC GOZEN showed huge determination to break her Maiden with a gritty display at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

The mare had performed creditably at each of her three stable starts heading into the Benchmark 60 Handicap (1900m), and she duly got her first career win on the board after outstaying her more seasoned rivals under Les ‘Bubba’ Tilley.

The pair were headed in the home straight as ATOMIC GOZEN looked to be set for her third runner-up finish from four stable starts, but she rallied impressively in the closing stages to claim the $15,600 winner’s cheque.

"I just loved the way she got off the deck, it's a great sign and full credit to her and Bubba Tilly," said Vandyke.

"I loved the passion he showed. Other jockeys don't show that same sort of passion to get her off the canvas.

"I was quite impressed with the closing sectionals. Even though it was a 1900m race and it wasn't a good field but they ran home in 34.2 seconds .... so it was a very good time for that distance and class.

"She had a good blow and my first thought was she is going to improve off that."

Congratulations to her breeder Thomas Conn and fellow owners: Mr A Damirdjian, Mr A Vasili, Mr J Hedges, Mr B J Willis, Mr C Serrao, Mr S Cooley, Mr G D Graham, Mr R Barkho and Mr O J D Conn.