Trainer Gary Subratie extended his Classic winning form of last year when he won the St Leger and the Derby with Calculus to this year’s 1000 Guineas with victory earned by the irrepressible filly Atomica.

The Supreme Racing Guide spoke with Subratie the day after (June 5) his latest Classic success zeroing on his relationship with owner Don Wehby.

“I have been training horses for Mr Wehby for years and it is great joy to win a Classic race for him. I am happy for him. Going into the race he was a little nervous, I was also a little nervous but you know what racing is like. It is not over until it’s over. We got over that hump and we won the race,” Subratie stated.

As to the actual purchase of Atomica at the Yearling Sale, the trainer said: “I spotted her from the time she was around the back of the sale’s area. I also saw her before when she was on the farm. Then she was small, so I said to myself no one is going to buy her, so I am going to take a chance with her; I wanted her and that was that.”

As to having a keen eye for spotting a quality thoroughbred, Subratie smiled before answering.

“Yes, you can spot them sometimes being around them for such a long time during which time you develop a sense of trustworthiness about them. But it is not something that you get right every day. Sometimes, you can err in your judgement. But most of the time, you try to get a horse that can win races, for that is the main reason for making your selections.

“I was aware that Atomica from her first run had class, but what I am seeing now is extraordinary. In the Guineas, I expected a better than good performance but not a stakes record run. I was looking for a run of about 1:38.0, but the track got a little faster with the rain, hence her time of 1:37.0. Naturally, I will take that.

“Atomica finished the Guineas in good order. She ate out well, and now we move on to the next phase of her preparation, which is geared towards the 10-furlong Jamaica St Leger on July 2,” Subratie said.