The 2020 J.J. Atkins had to take a prizemoney cut as well as a distance cut as a consequence of the coronavirus crisis but the Group 1 for the two year olds will still have a capacity field to go around.
Eighteen juveniles plus two emergencies make up the final field for he J.J. Atkins which has had its prizemoney slashed from $600,000 to $350,000 and its distance reduced from 1600m to 1400m.
The J.J. Atkins winning trophy has a great chance to remain in Queensland this year after the majority of the previous winners were from across the border.
The Eagle Farm trained Rothfire and Isotope both have very strong chances while Wisdom Of Water and The Drinks Cart from the Gold Coast stables of Toby and Trent Edmonds have both won their last two starts.
We have analysed the entire field and our complete 2020 J.J. Atkins tips can be found below!
Rothfire
Rothfire made it five wins from six starts when he resumed from a short break for an all the way win in the Group 2 Champagne Classic (1200m) at Eagle Farm on May 23.
The Robert Heathcote trained Rothfire has shown plenty of ability from day one and will go forward again from a wide gate but will be fighting out the finish.
Wild Ruler
Wild Ruler has a win and two placings from three race starts and was solid last start when third in the Group 2 Champagne Classic (1200m) at Eagle Farm on May 23.
The Peter and Paul Snowden trained colt is a good looker and will probably follow Rothfire over from the wide gate.
Wisdom Of Water
The Toby and Trent Edmonds trained Wisdom Of Water is the winner of three of his five race starts, including his two at the Gold Coast this campaign.
Wisdom Of Water scored an effortless first up all the way win in a 1200m 2yo Plate and followed that up an unchallenged win in the Group 3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic (1200m).
The classy colt has drawn the middle of the pack and will take up a forward position and will there to fight out the finish.
Not An Option
Not An Option was a Group 2 winner in New Zealand before being transferred to Richard and Michael Freedman at Rosehill.
Not An Option has won a Canterbury barrier trial since finishing sixth in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on April 18 an is likely to settle in the second half of the field from an inside draw and will be doing his best work in the run home.
The Drinks Cart
The Drinks Cart has looked pretty good in winning his last two starts at the Gold Coast over 900m and 1100m but is unknown over any further.
The Toby and Trent Edmonds trained youngster can settle just behind the speed from gate eight and save his best for last.
Thunder Mania
The Sunshine Coast trained Thunder Mania has won his last two outings at the Sunshine Coast but will find this tougher than he latest win over 1400m on May 15.
Spokesman
Sydney’s champion trainer Chris Waller has had plenty of success in the J.J. Atkins with three wins in the last ten years and will saddle up Spokesman this year.
Spokesman was a winner two starts back in a 1300m Warwick Farm 2yo Handicap but was well beaten last start when eighth in the Group 3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast.
Saffiano
Saffiano is another colt from the Chris Waller stable who was a Rosehill winner before finishing seventh in the Group 3 Ken Russell Meorial Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast. No easier here.
Way Beyond
Way Beyond is yet to win from six starts and will be tested again coming off a second in a 1300m Sunshine Coast 2yo Handicap.
Tick Tock Boom
Tick Tock Boom broke through for his maiden win over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast last start but will find this a whole lot harder.
Overlord
Overlord is another colt from the Chris Waller stable yet to win a race from three starts and has to improve many lengths following his last start second in 1300m Randwick 2yo Handicap.
Superare
Superare collected his second win in a 1300m Sunshine Coast 2yo Handicap last start but will find this a lot tougher.
Gotta Kiss
Gotta Kiss is backing up after finishing third as favourite in the Listed Bill Carter Stakes (1110m) at Doomben last Saturday and it is hard to see her threatening here.
Macroura
Macroura remained unbeaten from three starts when she won the Listed Woodland Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on May 16 and with further improvement could figure in the finish.
Cosmic Gossip
Cosmic Gossip scored her second win in a 1200m Eagle Farm 2yo Class 3 Handicap on May 23 but will find this a whole different ball game.
Minjee
Minjee is the winner of two of her five starts in much weaker company and never figured last start when seventh in the Listed Bill Carter Stakes (1110m) at Doomen.
Isotope
Isotope won her first two race starts at Doomben and the Sunshine Coast before chasing home Rothfire to claim second prize in the Group 2 Champagne Classic (1200m) at Eagle Farm on May 23.
The Tony Gollan trained filly can go forward or back from her awkward draw and with a nice run can be thereabouts at the finish.
Starosa
Starrosa won two on the trot at Doomben before leading and fading into fourth as favourite in a 1400m Sunshine Coast 2yo Plate on May 15. Harder here.
See Marie
See Marie is the first emergency and looking for something easier after finishing in the runner’s up stall in a 1400m Gold Coast 2yo Plate.
Sea Boss
Sea Boss is yet to win from four starts and not here.
JJ Atkins Stakes Tip
3. Wisdom Of Water at $6.50
