Grafterburners primed for round three against Cool Archie in Group 1 JJ Atkins at Eagle Farm

Grafterburners has been no match for Cool Archie in both runs this campaign but trainer Kelly Schweida is confident of turning the tables in the Group 1 JJ Atkins.

Kelly Schweida's exciting two-year-old colt Grafterburners is one of the main fancies for the Group 1 JJ Atkins on Saturday. Picture: Trackside Photography

Group 1 JJ Atkins favourite Cool Archie was too good for fellow Queenslander Grafterburners the last time they met, but Kelly Schweida has made a case for the result being reversed on Saturday.

Chris and Corey Munce-trained Cool Archie, who has won his last four, and Schweida’s colt Grafterburners are the top two betting picks in Saturday’s JJ Atkins at $3 and $6 respectively.

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Cool Archie has had the measure of fellow two-year-old colt Grafterburners the last two times, including in their last meeting in the $1m BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes where Cool Archie won from last and Grafterburners finished sixth.

But Grafterburners, who scored the $500,000 QTIS Jewel in March, has endured luckless wide runs the last two times he has raced.

And it didn’t help his cause when jockey Jason Collett dropped the whip approaching the 200m in the Sires’.

A barnstorming win by Cool Archie in the G2 BRC Sires' Produce Stakes, and that's four in a row to the @munceracing galloper! 🙌@BrisRacingClubpic.twitter.com/lIjGc5tTiN

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025

“The winner (Cool Archie) was too good on the day and won easy and he deserves to be favourite in the JJ Atkins,” Schweida said.

“But my horse has just had no luck the last two runs.

“And the jockey dropped the stick (whip) last time, which probably doesn’t help on the heavy track we saw that day.

“I guess though I can make all the excuses I like, but my horse still didn’t win.

“But we definitely should have finished closer the other day.”

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Legendary jockey Craig Williams gets the call-up to partner Grafterburners in the JJ Atkins (1600m).

Grafterburners has never stretched out beyond 1400m but two-time Group 1-winning trainer Schweida suspects the mile won’t be a problem.

Although he concedes he won’t know for sure until he tests him in the JJ Atkins.

Grafterburners is a class above for @CejayGraham1pic.twitter.com/TMg83ArqAi

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 15, 2025

He has high respect for Cool Archie but Schweida would love a soft barrier draw and a bit of luck for Grafterburners.

“All you can do is win and that is what the Chris Munce horse has been doing,” Schweida said.

“That horse definitely loves the wet but I think it goes good on the dry too.

“He’s won four on the bounce, he’s a good horse, and I don’t know anyone who would be bagging a horse that keeps winning.

“As for my horse, I think he will run a mile but it’s hard to say until he has a go.

“He just needs a cosy run rather than getting stuck out on a limb in his races like he has been.”

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In all-in JJ Atkins betting on TAB fixed odds, ahead of Tuesday’s final field and barrier draw, Chris Waller’s Yulong-owned colt Hidden Achievement is on the $6 line with Grafterburners.

The others other double figures in betting are Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained colt Farnicle, runner-up behind Cool Archie in the Sires’, and Michael Freedman’s gelding Aerodrome.

Both are $8 chances.

Originally published as Grafterburners primed for round three against Cool Archie in Group 1 JJ Atkins at Eagle Farm