Post-race jockey reports from the 2025 JJ Atkins

This is what the jockeys had to say after the running of the JJ Atkins at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Martin Harley salutes to the crowd after winning the JJ Atkins with Cool Archie. Photo: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography.

Local hope Cool Archie gave father/son training team Chris and Corey Munce a first Group 1 winner as partners in the $1 million JJ Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Chris Munce, who win the race as a jockey aboard Sizzling, won his only previous Group 1 as a trainer with Palaisipan in the Tatts Tiara back in 2023 but Cool Archie victory was Corey’s Group 1 win.

Ridden by Martin Harley, Cool Archie stalked the speed throughout, strode to the front at the top of the straight and was never in danger of defeat down the running.

Cool Archie WINS the G1 J.J. Atkins! 🏆@munceracingpic.twitter.com/X0oBUWkZB0

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 14, 2025

Cool Archie defeated the well supported Hidden Achievement with roughie Call Da Vinci claiming third.

Cool Archie is a two-year-old colt by Cool Aza Beel (NZ), the win was his fifth from nine starts and took his earnings to more than $1.6 million.

This is what the riders thought of their mount’s performance in the JJ Atkins.

1st - COOL ARCHIE (Martin Harley) I think the horse has done most of the talking. He’s taken a big step forward each run and that’s what the good ones do. But to transform from a heavy (10) to a good (4) there today, which I knew he would handle, I never had any doubt in that. But what a superstar he is.

2nd - HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT (James McDonald) He’s a beautiful horse who acquitted himself very well today. Just got a check out of the gates that put us two spots further back than expected. He’s done a marvellous job to get as close to the winner who has had a terrific carnival. Full credit to the winner but my bloke is a horse to follow.

3rd - CALL DA VINCI (Jaden Lloyd) Terrific run. Very proud of him. Just unlucky that we drew wide. If we got a gate then we’d go close to winning.

4th - PROVIDENCE (Tommy Berry) He drew wide, we had to go back. It was a messy race, as you would expect. Lucky we had a nice three to four wide line pressing forward at the 600m which gave us a nice cart into the race. He’s done a good job in his first prep.

5th - AERODROME (Regan Bayliss) No comment provided.

6th - GRAFTERBURNERS (Craig Williams) He displayed a very bad temperament pre-race. He ended going to give me a lovely run inside of the eventual winner who is a bit of a star this carnival and probably beyond. I thought my horse acquitted himself well. The question mark going out of today is whether this horse is a solid 1600-metre horse. It will be interesting to see when he comes back next time. He does have very good ability.

7th - NAVY PILOT (Ryan Maloney) Just stepped away a bit slow and couldn’t muster. I wanted to be at least midfield but it was very messy. He finished off the race very well.

8th - TORQUE TO BE SURE (Mark Zahra) His racing manner don’t help him.

9th - FARNICLE (Tim Clark) Ran ok. If felt the edge was off him a little bit. Maybe that run on the heavy track just took it out of him.

10th - MORTAL HALO (Zac Lloyd) Nice colt. Messy run race for him but I think he’ll come back a nice three-year-old.

11th - THEE CREEK (Mark Du Plessis) He got a lovely run behind the winner. Travelled really well. I thought he was going to be competitive going in. He’s probably just had enough.

12th - MEET GEORGE (Ron Stewart) Up to the mile today, I think he’s probably not ready mentally and physically. Maybe next prep he’ll get the mile. We learnt a lot today and he’ll be a nice horse next prep.

13th - THE BEAR (Justin Stanley) He ran well. Just a wide gate and if he draws well he probably runs top ten. He tried hard.

14th - ZEBRA FINCH (Kerrin McEvoy) Got a nice trail. He travelled along nicely. Just off the bridle he didn’t enjoy that ground. Nice colt in the making next prep.

15th - SWEET PRETENDER (Cejay Graham) That was a bit tough. She didn’t run the mile out. She’ll be better next preparation.

16th - ZOUTANIUM (Nash Rawiller) No comment provided.

Originally published as Post-race jockey reports from the 2025 JJ Atkins