JJ Atkins – 2021

Track: Good Weather: Fine

Fourteen two year olds have accepted for the $1,000,000 JJ Atkins.  Nine colts, four geldings and one filly make up the field.  The Chris Waller, Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott and Edward Cummings stables all have multiple runners in the race.  As always the key lead up race is the BRC Sires Produce Stakes – nine of them had their last start in that race.  The early favourite in the betting is Converge.  He stormed home to finish second in the Sires and should be able to settle closer in the run this time around.  The second favourite is Port Louis.  He is still a maiden however all four of his career runs have been full of merit including last start when he threaded through the field to finish third behind Converge.

Tiger Of Malay quickened well to win the Sires Produce and is trained in Sydney by the Freedman team.  He will start a much shorter price than he did last time on Saturday.  Overpass maps to get a soft run from barrier three.  Ranch Hand weakened badly in the Sires but James McDonald staying on board is a positive if you like him.  Cape Breton is unbeaten.  Overmann is a last start winner, while Giannis is still a maiden.  The remaining runners are $20-1 or longer.

1. Tiger Of Malay

Tiger Of Malay was ridden perfectly by Craig Williams to take out the Sires Produce a fort night ago. He quickened nicely at the 300m and then appeared to find again once Port Louis got within a length of him.  He draws slightly wider here but if he can get a similar run again then he is capable of making it back to back wins.

2. Converge

Converge is a two year old son of Frankel trained by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott at Randwick.  He was the big flashing light run in the Sires Produce storming home to run second after settling well back.  He is capable of settling closer from an inside gate and looks one of the main chances here.

3. Subterranean

Took out the Group 3 Ken Russel Memorial on the Gold Coast, then kept coming out wide in the Sires Produce.  Looks like 1600m may suit and I like that Nash Rawiller sticks with him.  Roughie with a chance.

4. Overpass

The blinkers go back on Overpass who was far from disgrace when making ground along the fence to finish fourth in the Sires Produce.  He has been up for a while now but I like his versatility and if he can hold his form he is not out of this.

5. Port Louis

Talented colt who has had a bit of an unusual first preparation.  He had his first two starts in maiden level over 1100m and 1200m.  Then stepped to 1600m in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes where he ran well.  Last start he dropped back to 1400m in the Sires Produce where he let down strongly to finish third.  If there is something left in the tank then he can be in the finish again here.

6. Volcanic Rock

Another of the Waterhouse & Bott runners.  He is on the quick back up after winning a very weak two year old race here last week.  Doubt he’s good enough.

7. Ranch Hand

The lethal combination of Waller and McDonald team up with Ranch Hand.  He was well fancied as a $5.50 chance in the Sires but weakened out badly over the concluding stages.  Ran well prior at the Gold Coast.

8. Blushing Tycoon

Last start Flemington winner.  The times out of that race were poor and I didn’t like the bunch finished.  Marked her double her current price ($21) here.

9. Overmann

Justified the short quote to win by .8 of a length at Randwick last start.  Barrier seven and Tommy Berry are positives.  Not out of this.

10. Cape Breton

This two year old colt trained by Chris Waller has won both his career starts.  He is up in class here but is a roughie with a chance.

11. Giannis

Had a good run in the Sires and I thought she was entitled to do more considering.  She is only third up here and may have some improvement to come but needs to improve.

12. Dark Rebel

Won on heavy ground on debut, then struggled in the Sires on firmer footing.  Jamie Kah off is a key negative.  Struggling to make a case.

13. Three Wise Men

Trained by Edward Cummings who won the Oaks last week.  She ran a nice race behind Overmann to finish third at Rosehill last start and is on the up.  Consider for multiples.

14. Invincible Tears

Whacked away to finish ninth in the Sires.  She is honest but I think she lacks the class to be winning here.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
2. Converge	2. Converge
5. Port Louis	1. Tiger Of Malay
1. Tiger Of Malay	5. Port Louis
4. Overpass	4. Overpass

Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap 2021 (Eagle Farm 1400m)

Group 2 Q22 2021 (Eagle Farm 2200m)

Group 2 Brisbane Cup 2021 (Eagle Farm 3200m)

Group 3 Gunsynd Classic 2021 (Eagle Farm 1600m)

Listed The Wayne Wilson 2021 (Eagle Farm 1600m)