Atlantic Air emerged as one of the early favourites for the Adelaide Cup when he scored a resounding win in the listed Bagot Handicap (2800m) at Flemington this afternoon.

A six-year-old gelded son of Air De France, Atlantic Air gave his Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale bound half sister a tremendous boost when he won his first race at black type level.

A member of the John Croucher stable at Morphettville, Atlantic Air was able to make it three straight wins following victories at his home track in Adelaide prior to crossing the border.

Croucher was confident that his top staying prospect would prove more than competitive in today's feature staying test.

"A lot of people don't look past the Grampians. We've got some pretty handy horses over there."

Atlantic Air will now return to South Australia for a bit of a let up prior to being set for his city's biggest race.

"We'll give him a little break. We'll let him settle at home for a while and then might have a crack at the Adelaide Cup with him."

Winning rider Danny Nikolic was impressed with how the gelding kept bowling along in the straight and was so strong to the post.

"He was very solid right to the line," Nikolic said. "He held them out very strong."

"He's related to No Wine No Song who won a Sydney Cup, so he's got the pedigree to win a race like these and beat horses like this."

"He's a very genuine animal."

Atlantic Air ($12) cruised home to beat the pair of Harry Lawton syndicated runners, Apprehend ($5 fav) and Grand Destiny ($8) by two and a quarter lengths.

The win meant the top producing Kinjite mare Deep Time had joined the list of multiple stakes producers having already been represented at racing's elite level by No Wine No Song.

Her latest yearling, a cracking filly by top juvenile sire More Than Ready, will go under the hammer at this month's Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.

Catalogued as lot number 429, the bay or brown filly is a member of a quality draft from Oakland Park Stud.

"She's a really lovely filly who has a wonderful pedigree," Magic Millions Perth Manager Murray Tillett reported.

"She has a lot of things going for her and she is now a half sister to two impressive stakes winners."

"Oakland Park Stud have an outstanding draft heading to the sale and prospective buyers are sure to be impressed."

The draft received another boost when Ma Ma Machine won the listed Summer Scorcher at Ascot a little later in the afternoon.

A half brother to Ma Ma Machine by exciting young Hunter Valley sire Dane Shadow will also be offered by Oakland Park Stud.

The breeder of stars including Northerly, Marasco and Covertly, Oakland Park Stud is one of Australia's top stakes winner producing farms.

Nine yearlings will represent Oakland Park Stud at the upcoming Perth Yearling Sale with the farm having the honour of kicking away the sale with Lot 1 - a filly by More Than Ready.

As well as the half relations to today's stars the draft includes a half sister to Marasco and a half brother to Covertly and So Secret.

Magic Millions Media Release Published 01/01/10