In a week that Australian racing farewelled its undisputed queen of the turf

In a week that Australian racing farewelled its undisputed queen of the turf, a favourable report has been issued regarding the progress of the heir apparent.

Atlantic Jewel is deep into a preparation trainer Mark Kavanagh is using as part of her recuperation from the tendon injury that has kept her away from the racetrack since around this time last year.

Kavanagh’s stable jockey, Michael Rodd, who has ridden the four-year-old to five of her seven wins, including both Group 1 success, said she is going well and remains optimistic that she will make it back to the track.

“She’s back in work now and is just up to three-quarter pace,” Rodd said.

“She looks fantastic and has really filled out. Having spent a lot of time in the paddock you’d expect that, but she’s not too big or heavy, so that’s a plus.

“At the end of the day, we want to show everyone how good she really is as a racehorse and what she can do.

“Like Black Caviar, who also had a few injuries along the way, the time off has done Atlantic Jewel good, so we keep our fingers crossed and look forward to what’s to come.”

Atlantic Jewel hasn’t raced since defeating the older horses in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on 28 April last year.

Her other Group 1 success was the 2011 Thousand Guineas (1600m), which preceded a seven-length romp in the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m).

The daughter of Fastnet Rock was the early favourite for last year’s Sportingbet Cox Plate but her campaign was over before she had a start after a tendon injury was discovered in August.

Rodd would love to see her finally get her crack at the $3 million Sportingtbet Cox Plate later this year.

“Like all horses who come back from tendon injuries, it will be one race at a time and we’ve just got to hope that she pulls up alright every time she steps out,” Rodd said.

“I’d say her target this Spring is the Cox Plate, but it will be one race at a time and it’s up to the connections on what happens with her.”

www.racingvictoria.net.au