It’s the final Group 1 race of the season for the two-year-old crop and the JJ Atkins has drawn a typically smart and capacity field to Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The JJ Atkins has proven to be an outstanding form reference for the subsequent Spring Carnival for many years now, and it has produced the likes of Brazen Beau, Press Statement and The Autumn Sun during its recent history.
Who will join the illustrious list of JJ Atkins winners this weekend? Check out who I think will be in my JJ Atkins tips below.
JJ Atkins Stakes – Winner
No. 10 Cape Breton – Bet Now: $15.00
This is a substantial rise in class for Cape Breton, but he has been nothing short of outstanding since making his debut, and he looks to be a live chance of winning the JJ Atkins at a lovely price ($15 at publish).
The Vancouver colt showed ability at the trials prior to making his debut and put the writing on the wall with an impressive win over 1250m at Canterbury late month.
He repeated that effort and result at Rosehill on Saturday, leading home a smart field of gallopers over 1400m, and getting out to a mile looks as though it will be ideal.
With races like the Coolmore Stud Stakes already outlined for him in the spring, I’m confident that Cape Breton can follow a similar line to Brazen Beau.
JJ Atkins Stakes – 2nd
No. 2 Converge – Bet Now: $3.40
Converge has been a strong and consistent performer this preparation and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish of the JJ Atkins.
The Frankel gelding ran second in the Group 3 Bailleau at Rosehill on Tancred Stakes Day and hasn’t return a poor effort since; winning the Fernhill, running third in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes and finishing a head second in the BRC Sires’ Produce a fortnight ago.
That run will have surely brought him right back on and he clearly relishes the mile.
JJ Atkins Stakes – 3rd
No. 5 Port Louis – Bet Now: $4.60
He remains a four-start maiden, but Port Louis clearly has a lot of ability, and the JJ Atkins shapes as the perfect target for him.
The Maurice colt has placed in three of four so far, finishing fifth in the Group 1 Champagne on the other occasion, and he returned from a let-up to finish an impressive third, beaten only half a length in the BRC Sires Produce here a fortnight ago.
He’ll need some luck from the wide draw, but will likely go back regardless, and Hugh Bowman is obviously a very positive booking.
JJ Atkins Stakes – 4th
No. 7 Ranch Hand – Bet Now: $12.00
Ranch Hand was awful in the BRC Sires’ Produce a fortnight ago, but that really was the only blemish on his record to date, and he has the ability to bounce back in the JJ Atkins.
The Fastnet Rock colt won on debut at Warwick Farm, finishing third here at Eagle Farm at the beginning of January and ending his debut prep fifth in the Magic Millions Classic.
He resumed this time with an eye-catching effort for second in the Group 3 Ken Russell Memorial on the Gold Coast, and I’m happy to give him another chance on Saturday.
JJ Atkins Stakes Tips
- 2 Units E/W #10 Cape Breton
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections below