KINGSTON, Jamaica – Owner of Horse of the Year Atomica, Don Wehby was on edge before his flying filly raced against Overnight Allowance horses over seven furlongs on Labour Day, Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at Caymanas Park.
Wehby in an interview with Quickgallop.com said his natural pre-race nervousness was significantly heightened because he knew of the trials and travails his pride and joy (Atomica) had gone through to get fit and to race again.
“We did not realise the extent of the injury which she (Atomica) had picked up when the gates hit her in last year’s Mouttet Mile (December 2022).
“Trainer Gary Subratie and his team worked tirelessly to repair the damage, but she was not at her best, or even close to her best when she raced earlier this year.
“Gary and his team had to buckle down again through many hours, which included working constantly with the vet to get Atomica in shape to race again.
“She earned an impressive victory with a fast clocking going seven furlongs,” Wehby added.
Atomica smashed her Overnight opponents by close to 11 lengths, clocking a fast 1:24.4 for seven furlongs.
“The time Atomica clocked was fast, and she never broke a sweat in doing so. Putting things into context, today (May 23) she raced against Overnight Allowance horses, and truth be told, if she did not win today, and win impressively, then afterward, it would have been a period of rest, and then onto the breeding stage of her career,” Wehby said in closing his interview with this website.
