It is a very close 2015 JJ Atkins betting market for the juvenile’s feature at Doomben Racecourse this Saturday with the undefeated Chris Waller-trained Press Statement leading the latest odds narrowly despite a wide draw.
Press Statement is narrow favourite to win the 2015 JJ Atkins in Brisbane on Saturday for trainer Chris Waller who won the race five years ago. Photo: Steve Hart.
One of three Group 1 features on the Stradbroke Handicap Day card, which Ladbrokes.com.au are offering Best Tote or SP + 20% on all three, this year’s $600,000 Group 1 BMW J.J. Atkins (1600m) field features a dozen two-year-olds including three for Sydney’s best trainer Waller.
Waller won the race back in 2010 with Pressday and returns for another shot this Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival, the best fancied of his trio and the entire field is Hinchinbrook colt Press Statement who has won both his career starts to date.
The latest of those was at Rosehill on May 30 over 1350m with Jim Cassidy in the saddle, the youngster jumping from a wide barrier 10 of 12 draw this weekend when racing in the Sunshine State with Tye Angland taking over for the ride.
Press Statement is at $4.60, in from $5, to retain his undefeated status this weekend and salute in his first black-type assignment to bag the Group 1 over the mile.
The next best in JJ Atkins betting at $5 is then Blueberry Hill, the super consistent local filly jumping from barrier eight with Larry Cassidy in the saddle.
The Liam Birchley-trained daughter of Myboycharlie has had five starts to date for three wins and two seconds, her latest turf triumph being in the Group 2 Champagne Classic (1200m) at Doomben on May 9.
Her lead-up run into the JJ Atkins was then a fortnight ago when narrow beaten by Look To The Stars in the Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1350m) on May 23, a gap she’ll be out to close in the rematch on Saturday.
Occupying the third line in the markets at an equal $6 are then the market mover Counterattack who has been backed in from $8 and Bassett drawn a treat in barrier two.
Set to jump from barrier five with Hugh Bowman aboard, Waller’s Redoute’s Choice colt Counterattack won over 1200m at Warwick Farm in mid-April before two fourth place finishes at Doomben in May.
The first was behind Blueberry Hill in the Champagne Classic and then by Look To The Stars in the Sires’, the step up to 1600m to suit the Sydney raider.
Bassett meanwhile has had just the one previous run, Peter Moody’s Savabeel gelding winning over 11000m at Caulfield on debut in mid-May ahead of Saturday’s showdown where Luke Nolen is booked for the ride.
The last of the single figure hopes is then the Clarry Conners-trained Look To The Stars jumping from barrier four with apprentice jockey Luke Tarrant riding.
A well-tried I Am Invincible filly, Look To The Stars improved on a 10th in the Champagne Classic to beat home a number of these same horses in the Sires’ Produce.
She is now out to become the first two-year-old to complete the BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes – JJ Atkins double since the Kelso Wood-trained Sizzling (2012).
The other most notable hope just outside those is Waller’s third runner Feast For Eyes ($11) who gets the inside run from barrier one with Zac Purton aboard, the More Than Ready colt coming off a win over 1550m at Canterbury on May 27.
Check out the full JJ Atkins 2015 betting odds below, prices open online now at Ladbrokes.com.au who are also offering Best Tote or SP + 20% on all three Group 1s at Doomben on Stradbroke Day!
