A quality field of juveniles will lineup at Eagle Farm this Saturday for an exciting edition of the Group 1 J.J. Atkins.
The distance has been increased back up to the traditional mile after last year’s edition was run over 1400m, and it is no surprise to find BRC Sires’ Produce winner Tiger Of Malay and second place-getter Converge headlining the market.
Last week’s impressive Rosehill winner Cape Breton also looks a danger alongside Ciaron Maher and David Eustace’s impressive two-year-old colt Port Louis.
For thoughts on every runner in the $1 million feature, be sure to scroll through our 2021 J.J. Atkins Preview below.
Tiger Of Malay
Tiger Of Malay stuck on well last time out to win the BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes after making up plenty of ground from mid-field.
He did well to withstand a late challenge from Saturday’s rival Converge and should handle the step up to the mile in his stride. The wide gate leaves Craig Williams with work to do, but he should be fighting out the finish.
Converge
Converge always looked a promising horse when winning on debut at Warwick Farm last December.
He’s since returned to the races to win a Listed race over the mile at Randwick before running a very strong third over the same distance in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes.
The way he chased Tiger Of Malay down the straight in the Sires’ Produce makes him the horse to beat and the son of Frankel has drawn to get a lovely run just behind the speed from barrier 5.
Subterranean
Subterranean stamped himself as a horse to watch from the Matthew Dunn yard when winning his maiden at Doomben last year by a big margin prior to running a strong third in the Group 3 BJ McLachlan at Eagle Farm.
He’s mixed his form a little this time in work but is certainly capable of winning this race after finally drawing a gate.
The son of Rebel Dane has struggled from wide gates throughout his prep and is worth forgiving on his disappointing finish in the Sires’ Produce.
Overpass
Overpass saw his winning streak come to an end last time out in the Sires’ Produce, but he still did enough to suggest he can run a race on Saturday at odds.
The Bjorn Baker-trained colt stuck on well for fourth along the rail in what was not only a step up in class, but also his first look at Eagle Farm.
He’s unproven over the mile but should take improvement into this contest from an identical draw.
Port Louis
Port Louis looks to be one of the main dangers after resuming to finish only half a length third to Tiger Of Malay and Converge in the Sires’ Produce.
The Maher and Eustace-trained colt is winless from four starts but has shown plenty under Hugh Bowman to suggest he can win a race like this.
He was seen doing his best work late over the mile two back in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes and will likely need to produce a similar performance from another awkward draw.
Volcanic Rock
Volcanic Rock returns on the quick backup after winning The Phoenix (1500m) last week at Eagle Farm by close to a length.
The son of Hinchinbrook proved too much over the final stages after tucking in behind the speed, and although this is a significant step up in grade, he does look a worthwhile each-way play out to the mile now.
Ranch Hand
Big things were expected of Ranch Hand after he won well on debut at Warwick Farm during the summer, but it’s safe to say he’s been a little underwhelming since returning to work.
The colt by Fastnet Rock was the beaten $2.00 favourite first-up on the Gold Coast in the Group 3 Ken Russell Memorial before struggling to overcome the wide draw last time out in the Sires’ Produce.
Drawing close to the fence should help him improve on Saturday, but it’s tough to know how he’ll handle his first look at the mile based on recent efforts.
Blushing Tycoon
Blushing Tycoon saw off a late challenge from Deprivation to win his maiden at Flemington two weeks ago, a performance he can certainly build on getting out over further now.
The colt out of Written Tycoon really hasn’t done much wrong in four starts to date and rates as serious knockout chance if Jye McNeil can offset the awkward gate.
Overmann
Overmann overcame some early interference in his last start at Rosehill to go on and win his maiden by close to a length.
He showed a real turn of foot in the late stages that showed he’ll handle the step up to the mile, but this still remains a significant step up in class.
Cape Breton
Cape Breton returns on the quick backup looking to claim his hat-trick.
The Chris Waller-trained two-year-old is unbeaten in two starts after letting down strongly to win over 1400m at Rosehill last Saturday.
He crossed the line with plenty in hand under Tommy Berry and will now enjoy the added luxury of Glen Boss in the saddle.
This is his toughest assignment to date, but the pair are well worth including in your numbers.
Giannis
Giannis is winless in four starts but he did finish off strongly for fifth last time out in the Sires’ Produce.
He should be fitter for two runs back and should reap the benefits of four-time JJ Atkins winner Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle.
Dark Rebel
Dark Rebel won on debut on a very wet track at Warwick Farm back in May but failed to fire back on top of the ground in the Sires’ Produce.
He’s been kept for the run with a trial between starts but this still looks beyond him.
Three Wise Men
Three Wise Men has placed in two of his three starts to date but this remains a big step up in class.
Invisible Tears
Invisible Tears is yet to win in five starts and is tough to recommend in a race of this quality.
JJ Atkins Stakes Tips
Port Louis at $4.60
