The J.J. Atkins is a Group 1 race for two-year old’s run over 1600m at Eagle Farm racecourse this weekend with total prize money of $1 million.
The race has been won by many quality juveniles including Luskin Star (1977), Mahogany (1993) and The Autumn Sun (2018).
We have run through every runner and our full 2022 J.J. Atkins Preview can be found below.
1. Brereton (15)
Burst onto the scene as an early juvenile when finishing second in the Debutant Stakes at Caulfield before winning the Maribyrnong Plate down the Flemington straight. The Peter Moody trained colt has returned two nice efforts so far this prep including a third in the Group 2 Sires’ Produce last start. The step up to 1600m as well as the wide gate may be issues but he should be ready to peak at this stage of his prep.
2. Twin Stars (6)
Twin Stars won the Group 3 South Australian Sires’ Produce at Morphettville to earn a trip to Queensland. The son of Zoustar dropped well back in the field upon leaving the barriers and battled home soundly to finish sixth in the Sires’ Produce last start. That was somewhat of a forgive run and he can produce a better effort than that.
3. Cocobrew Express (14)
Wasn’t beaten far in an open 2 year old race at Eagle Farm and backed that up with a narrow victory at Ipswich where they beat the third horse home by almost five lengths. He was well off the pace in the Sires’ Produce at Eagle Farm last prep and he’d need to dramatically improve to be a threat in a race of this quality.
4. Political Debate (9)
This So You Think colt is having just his fourth career race start but he is a young horse with a heap of natural ability. He showed an enormous turn of foot late in the race in the Group 2 Champagne Classic before taking out The Phoenix narrowly last start. He had the field covered a long way out from home in that event before he was challenged late and the step up to 1600m suits.
5. Mishani Spartan (12)
Has been competing in black type races in his last few outings but has been well off the pace. Jackson Martin rode him a treat in The Phoenix and he loomed up like he may run a place before fading in the concluding stages. Big query he will run out 1600m.
6. Brosnan (7)
Makes his way up to QLD on the back of a win at Flemington last time out over 1400m. The son of Snitzel had failed to place in three previous starts but he was not far away in the Group 2 Skyline Stakes and Group 2 Sires Produce at Flemington in early autumn.
7. Green Shadows (19)
Put together back to back wins earlier this prep at Goulburn and Eagle Farm. Was the widest runner rounding the turn in the Sires’ Produce last start and made up considerable ground late in the piece. The distance shouldn’t be an issue but he’ll need luck from barrier 19.
8. Heroic Son (13)
Hasn’t finished within four lengths of the winner in his last four starts and looks outclassed in a race of this quality.
9. Owen County (17)
Has won two of three so far in his short racing career including a dominate performance at Randwick last time out. He is a young horse with plenty of upside but he is yet to race on anything other than a heavy track.
10. Sharp ‘N’ Smart (5)
Showed an excellent turn of foot to win a Listed race in New Zealand before showing that same acceleration late in The Phoenix last Saturday to just miss behind Political Debate. He had to weave his way through the field but once he was clear he was strong late. Is a winner at the distance and has drawn to get a lovely run in transit. One of the main chances.
11. Robusto (16)
Lost some momentum when having to steer across heels at the 250m in the Sires’ Produce but picked back up to run through the line well. Won his maiden by a huge margin at Warwick Farm in February when he beat home the very smart Williamsburg and the $81 available is very much over the odds.
12. Basquiat (1)
Is yet to finish outside the top two in all three of his runs so far. The son of Snitzel broke his maiden status at Doomben over 1615m last start and has drawn the marble in this event. Not the worst.
13. Ringmaster (11)
Was last on the turn in The Phoenix last Saturday and wanted to lay in for a large portion of the straight. Once he knuckled down to the task, he made up ground to finish third beaten just over two lengths. Has placed in all three of his career starts including a win at the Sunshine Coast. Was well over the odds at $46 when markets opened but has found plenty of support in betting now.
14. Fearless Knight (2)
Was well beaten in the Ken Russell Memorial on the Gold Coast before finishing third behind Ringmaster on the Sunshine Coast. Has had a trial in between runs but looks a little outclassed in this field of juveniles.
15. Lethal Thoughts (18)
Won his debut start at Sale before finishing within a length of Bronsnan at Flemington last start over 1400m. One that should benefit from the step up in trip but barrier 18 will not help his chances.
16. Sheeza Belter (10)
Skipped away from them in the straight when taking out the Group 2 Sires’ Produce at this track last start. Has won three of six career starts and with William Pike steering, she will give this a real shake. Is the Sires’ the strongest form line for this?
17. Tyresa (4)
Produced a dominant performance over 1400m at this track three back but then ran fifth as a $2.50 favourite in her next start. Has drawn perfectly but would need to climb to another level to be competitive in a race of this quality.
18. Amati (8)
One of three fillies accepted for the race and one of four runners for champion trainer Chris Waller. Was a narrow winner on debut at Canterbury and chased home Owen County into second at Randwick last start. She has some ability but this may be a strentch too far at just her third race start.
18. West Of Africa (3)
Is the first emergency so will need a scratching to gain a start. Has drawn the perfect barrier should that happen.
