Group 1 JJ Atkins runner-by runner analysis and tips for Saturday

The market suggests that Broadsiding will be winning Saturday’s Group 1 JJ Atkins at Eagle Farm, but there is plenty of depth in this race, with several runners who could upset the favourite.

Smashing Time, to be ridden by Tommy Berry, is the value runner in the JJ Atkins. Photo: Bradley Photos

The $1 million JJ Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm is Australia’s final two-year-old Group 1 race of the season.

Here is a runner-by-runner analysis of every horse set to line up on Saturday.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

1 – BROADSIDING

Star colt shooting for four wins on end. Claimed Australia’s only other two-year-old Group 1 over a mile – the Champagne Stakes – two starts back and won the main lead-up to this when coming from near last to win the Sires’.

VERDICT: A clear top pick.

Wow! 😮
Look at Broadsiding fly home to win the G2 Sires' Produce Stakes, and give @jamieleekah07 a double!@BrisRacingClub@[e-mail]/W4jG5rGFjI

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 1, 2024

2 – ZOUNA

Talented colt that made notable improvement last time when ridden quieter in the Sires’, coming from back in the field to grab second, running a clear second-best last 200m. Drawn well and Mark Zahra takes over from a local rider.

VERDICT: One of the better place chances.

3 – BITTERCREEK

Won the Spirit of Boom Classic two back then fourth in the Sires’ when appearing to have every possible chance, racing up near the speed and battling on. His last 200m split was the third best of the race.

VERDICT: Place claims are strongest.

Not a bad way to break the maiden status!

The $375,000 yearling purchase, Bittercreek, finishes strongly to take out the G2 Spirit Of Boom Classic at Doomben.@blake_shinn | @MaluaRacingpic.twitter.com/tRVIOQFHzQ

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 18, 2024

4 – BEAU DAZZLER

Got put out of the race shortly after the start in the Sires’ then backed up in the Phoenix and produced the best last 200m split of the race, coming from near last to finish fourth. Has a wide gate to overcome here.

VERDICT: This grade finds him out.

5 – CAN’T RECALL ONE

Couldn’t go early in the Sires’ then ran the fastest 1200 to 600m split of the race and that effort told late first-up in 10 weeks. Open to plenty of improvement but does need to find 7-3/4 lengths.

VERDICT: Likely improver but still faces a task.

6 – IMPERIALIST

Was beaten more than five lengths in each of his first two Sydney starts then relished the step up to 1500m when storming home to win The Phoenix last week at Eagle Farm. Awkward draw to overcome but will relish the mile.

VERDICT: Doubt the Phoenix form is good enough here.

Imperialist wins The Phoenix 🐦‍🔥 at Eagle Farm giving @mcacajamez a double!@[e-mail]/2VC8cWqoM8

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 8, 2024

7 – SMASHING TIME

Produced a similar last 600m split to Zouna (second-best of the race) when coming from a long way back to finish fifth in the Sires’. His 800-200m split in the race was only bettered by Broadsiding. Drawn better this time and the mile looks within reach.

VERDICT: A live place chance.

8 – BOSUSTOW

Has some solid autumn form references in Sydney and Melbourne, behind the likes of Traffic Warden and Linebacker. Well backed but flopped in the Spirit of Boom Classic then dropped back in grade and toyed with a maiden field. Drawn to get the right run.

VERDICT: The one from left field that can figure.

A big win to Bosustow at Doomben! 💪@BrisRacingClub@ANeashamRacing@RMaloney_Jockeypic.twitter.com/ZgpZuix4eo

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 5, 2024

9 – BARBARIC LAD

Has run well but come up short in both Queensland starts. Finished sixth in the Sires’, running the fifth best last 200m split of the race. Drawn slightly better this time.

VERDICT: One for the First 4s.

10 – MR ARTEMISIA

He easily beat his stablemate and Phoenix winner Imperialist when second to Toque in Sydney last month. Then beat home Smashing Time on the Kensington track in his next run. Last start came from well back to claim third at Rosehill behind the highly regarded Emirate. Drawn favourably.

VERDICT: Form ties in well to a few of the better contenders. Has place claims.

Emirate makes it two from two and wins at Rosehill!@aus_turf_club@[e-mail]/EkquEeK8GG

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 1, 2024

11 – CHINA SEA

Got the job done on debut over 1400m at Kembla. That day he ran similar time to the stronger-grade races on the card.

VERDICT: The step up in class is likely to be beyond him.

12 – EL MORZILLO

Smart filly that rarely runs a disappointing race. Narrowly beaten in the Spirit of Boom then had her chance when seventh in the Sires’, running the seventh-best final 200m split.

VERDICT: The mile looks beyond her.

13 – AEMELIUS

Led and was only edged out late last week when a close second behind Imperialist in The Phoenix. That run followed a Randwick 1200m win. Drawn to get a decent run and open to more improvement.

VERDICT: Not convinced about The Phoenix form but one for the exotics.

14 – PEE BEE NOIR

Finished down the track in both starts, not indicating anything to suggest she’ll trouble the scorer in this grade.

VERDICT: Making up the numbers.

****

TIPS
1st – BROADSIDING (No. 1)
2nd – MR ARTEMISIA (No. 10)
3rd – SMASHING TIME (No. 7)
4th – ZOUNA (No. 2)

Originally published as Group 1 JJ Atkins runner-by runner analysis and tips for Saturday