The first of the two Group l races at Eagle Farm this Saturday is the JJ Atkins Stakes (1600m) where the two year olds will do battle for a major.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2023 JJ Atkins Stakes.
Market 💰: View the Odds for the JJ Atkins Stakes
2023 JJ Atkins Stakes Speed Map
It’s hard to find speed. Azula was on speed last Saturday in The Phoenix and drawn wide, GaiBott, she looks the likely leader. King Colorado has an inside gate and should be forwardly placed. Outside that, I can’t find much early tempo.
2023 JJ Atkins Stakes Runner Preview:
1. Cifrado: He’s done a super job this time in. Loved the way he knuckled down to win the Sires and yes, he did wander about, he found under pressure to win. Off that, 1600m is fine IMO, he maps okay, genuine…only runs well.
2. Chrysaor: Loved the way he let down to win fresh at Gosford before going to the Sires where he got quite keen in the run and then got involved in a bad bumping battle, which took the wind out of his sails. He actually did a remarkable job to finish on for third. 1600m no issue and with a wide gate, he should get plenty of room to move, relax, and be effective late.
3. Snapback: Nice horse but gee I am surprised he is favourite. Thought he had his chance in the Sires but he couldn’t quite get there and beat Cifrado. Now with an extra 200m and a tricky gate, I am keen to oppose him.
4. Make A Call: Make A Call is a very smart maiden for Team Snowden that is one of the key chances. It was well debated the Sires and his run, whether he would have won or not. He likely does win the race, but saying definitely he wins is another matter. Either way, it was an ugly watch behind Cifrado. Fitter and up to the mile, more positive ride, he can certainly take this out.
5. Congregation: I think the market is starting to think along the same lines as me. Nice horse, but I think somewhat flattered in two starts/wins. Didn’t beat much on debut at Canterbury and was a very lucky winner last Saturday, with the runner up Tutta La Vita being completely luckless. He’ll be strong at the end…not sure he has the change up speed.
6. Tannhauser: Could be Militarize 2.0. Comes from nowhere to win and then continue to build. Big odds at Randwick last time but he gave them a start and a beating, rounding them up from last for a big win. J Mac booked says this is the #1 seed for the stable. But as I have been saying for a while, J Mac on is becoming a negative so with that in mind, I am keen to take him on.
7. Felix The Scat: Nice horse but I don’t think he is sharp enough to trouble these, especially from the gate.
8. Chevron: Chevron is still a maiden after six starts but I think he is flying and can certainly take this out. Like most engaged here, he ran two weeks ago in the Sires and was excellent from near last in the run, beaten just under three lengths by impressive winner Cifrado. He has been getting a mile out of his ground this time in but if he is able to settle closer, gee I think he’ll run a big race.
9. Californian: Is he a sleeper at odds? Dragged back from the wide gate in the Sires and I didn’t think was too bad in defeat, beaten just under two lengths. Can settle much closer in the run from the draw and I think 1600m will be no issue. Knockout chance.
10. Solidify: Solidify is too good of a horse to pen off one run. And it was a clear forgive run in the Sires I thought. He got badly checked early on in the straight and it took the wind right out of his sails, so forgive and forget the run behind Cifrado. He showed elite quality in NZ and was kept safe in betting in the Sires. I think he shouldn’t be dismissed.
11. Purveyor: Unusual prep. Ran last Wednesday over the mile against the older horses and was one paced when asked but kept finding the line behind a nice horse, Brookhaven. He’s not sharp enough to beat these but 1600m will be no issue.
12. King Colorado: Lightly raced Maher/Eustace horse with upside…dangerous set up. Wide throughout at Kembla last time but gee he let down with purpose and was impressive in winning. Maps to do no work in the run, 1600m is fine…right in the mix.
13. Trifling: Another that I can’t pen. Drew wide in the Sires, so was dragged back yet produced good late splits in defeat behind Cifrado, beaten 1.5L. Can settle much closer in the run and 1600m, I think, will suit. Must for exotics.
14. Azula: She got her Stakes win last Saturday. That was an awful race and I can’t see her troubling these.
15. Miss Joelene: Nice filly but will be spotting them too much head start from the gate and IMO, won’t measure up.
16. Within Reason: Pretty plain in the Sires and won’t be measuring up to this lot.
17. Miracle Of Love: Bred to be a good one and has the timing. Maiden win last time over 1350m at Doomben, giving them a start and held up, but got the split and drove hard late. Maps to get a sweet run just off the speed and 1600m no issue.
2023 JJ Atkins Stakes $100 Betting Strategy:
I am going to have $10 Win/$40 Place on two runners. Chevron and Solidify both look big prices.
Group l Strategy Outlay: $7350
Group l Strategy Return: $5309.50
