ATOM OF COURAGE SOLD
Speedy pacer Atom Of Courage will fly across the Tasman for Sydney on Friday (Dec 17).
The Courage Under Fire-Trustee Mota gelding has been sold to New South Wales horsewoman Ashlee Seijka after finishing on for fifth to Amenophis at Ashburton last week.
“He should be a very good horse in Aussie. He’s got a lot of speed and a good record,” said trainer Mark Jones.
“They liked him because of his gate speed and he’s got home in 26.8s (at Invercargill in August) and he’s only four.
“He’s actually not a bad animal. The reason I kept him was because I thought he was as good as Best Chance but needed time to mature, so they’re going to get him at the right time.
“He’s only a C3/MO over there. I hope he does a good job.”
Atom Of Courage has a best placed mile mark of 1:55.6.
Mark tried to get him to relax with standing starts in his two races since resuming and although pleased with him, the time was right to turn him over.
“If he won another one here he’d be racing against Choise Achiever and those horses. He’s probably better off going to Australia,” he said.
Atom Of Courage, bred by Trevor Casey and formerly raced in NZ by Queensland owner Greg Brodie, raced 28 times in NZ for four wins and 10 placings for $24,195 in stakes.
Capable 3YO Artsplace colt Ransom Olds was also exported out of the stable to Australia last month.
By Jeff Scott