Atlantic Jewel returned to racing in a blaze of glory, unprecedented, leaving her fans spellbound with the ease of her win in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield yesterday.

Her trainer, Mark Kavanagh, has reported she pulled up well after her magnificent win, it is now full steam ahead, the spring awaits her.

Certainly the Cox Plate is her prime mission; she will most likely run in the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes in two weeks, over 1600 metres at Moonee Valley, the venue of her first Melbourne win.

During the post parade she didn’t turn a hair, fully focused on what was ahead of her, perfectly relaxed as she walked the paddock area.

In contrast, her trainer, Mark Kavanagh, was showing signs of nervous strain, he has been to hell and back, it has been a long preparation over the past 16 months, when nothing could be taken for granted.

She had drifted slightly in the betting from odds on, yet remained favourite, the draw was perfect from centre of the field and she jumped away well.

Atlantic Jewel winning with ease

She was never further back in running than fourth, Michael Rodd, the perfectionist, was making sure he was giving the mare room when it came time to press the button.

By the time the home turn was reached, Atlantic Jewel coasted up to the leaders as if she had just joined them.

It is hard to believe that Rodd was actually easing her down when the post was reached, that is a true indication of her easy win.

An emotional Mark Kavanagh greeted Atlantic Jewel as she returned to scale; the exasperations and frustrations were erased by the success of the champion mare.

He was speechless after the race, after gaining his composure all he wanted to do was enjoy the moment with his wife, Isabel.

The former jumps rider, out of Mount Gambier, has enjoyed racing at the highest level, the Melbourne Cup with Shocking, Maldivian winning the Cox Plate, Caulfield Guineas with Whobegotyou and now what could be the best mare in the world, Atlantic Jewel.

After such a long break from racing, with a recurring tendon injury, it is only champions that come back; Todman and Tulloch were the example more than half a century ago.

Mark Kavanagh and Michael Rodd enjoying the moment