Racing: Atomic Force on track for Railway

Tim Clark riding Atomic Force (right) revelled in the wet track to win the Galaxy at Royal Randwick on April 16. Photo / Getty Images

To realise how well Australian sprinter Atomic Force is thrown into tomorrow's $200,000 Blandford Lodge Railway at Ellerslie, you need only to compare his 58kg handicap to rising star Durham Town.

If this was a straight handicap, as most of these types of races are, Atomic Force would be asked to concede Durham Town between 5kg and 5.5kg.

Under the conditions of set weights and penalties Durham Town receives only 1kg from the hot favourite.

It makes Atomic Force a great bet, even at the tight $2.40 quote the TAB has him at.

Making him so gilt-edged is the fact he can handle all types of going, but favours a bit of rain.

If the Auckland rain continues it will have the twin effect of aiding Atomic Force and hampering many of his main rivals.

Melbourne form analyst Dean Lester, one of the best judges, rates Atomic Force highly.

"He's a better horse than Gold Trail for example, that came over from here two years ago and won the Railway. This horse was on the cusp of being selected to represent Australia in the International Sprint in Hong Kong a couple of weeks ago.

"He missed out on that so they aimed his preparation at Ellerslie."

Lester said one of Atomic Force's great strengths was his reliability.

"He's a very genuine horse who will travel well and perform at his best."

Lester said Atomic Force, winner of close to $1 million, did not have to lead. "Therefore the barrier draw of slightly wider than mid-field won't be an issue for him.

"He can sit off them and roll into a race at the right time.

"And his trainer Darren Smith knows what he's doing."

Travelling foreman Shane Treweek confirmed yesterday that Atomic Force has thrived since being in New Zealand.

Shane's father, Neil Treweek, is the course manager at Te Rapa and the Australian sprinter has been housed there.

Treweek took Atomic Force to the Cambridge track yesterday morning, essentially to change his routine and liven his mind. "He didn't do anything serious, he's done all his work. It was a nice trip for him."

Treweek is hoping Atomic Force can add the Railway to his Galaxy win at Randwick in April.

On a dry track Guiseppina would be a major danger, even from her outside gate.

She has real class, but also a dislike of rain-affected footing.

Tomorrow's track conditions will depend greatly on the extent of rain today. If the rain managed to clear some time late today the track conditions by Railway time - 5.45pm - may not be too bad.

Don't discount Guiseppina if the track is reasonable.