The mile of next month’s 2017 JJ Atkins at Eagle Farm will be ideal for smart filly Ruby Red Heart according to trainer John Zielke who runs her in the traditional lead-up this weekend.
Toowoomba-based trainer John Zielke is confident his filly Ruby Red Heart will be suited to the mile of next month’s JJ Atkins 2017. Photo: Daniel Costello.
The Toowoomba-based Zielke is keen to test his Show A Heart filly Ruby Red Heart in Saturday’s $250,000 Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) on way to next month’s Group 1 over the mile.
The BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes field is full of two-year-olds targeting a return to the track on Stradbroke Handicap Day, June 10, in the $600,000 Group 1 J.J. Atkins (1600m).
The double was last completed by Sizzling (2012), while last Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival the Kiwi raider Sacred Elixir improved on a Sires’ Produce sixth to win the JJ Atkins for trainer Tony Pike.
Zielke has saddled up to starters in the JJ Atkins field over the past 30 years without success, but is hoping that changes this season as Ruby Red Heart gets out over more metres.
A winner of one of her four career starts to date, she was last seen running just over two lengths away fifth at the Gold Coast on May 6 in the Group 3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic (1200m) as a $41 roughie.
Zielke was thrilled with her run that day and rates her a genuine shot taking on the colts and geldings again getting up to 1400m on Kingsford-Smith Cup Day this weekend.
Jockey Luke Dittman retains the ride on the filly who is drawn a treat in barrier three in the capacity 18 starter BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes field.
Leading the current BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au at $4.20 is the in-form New Zealand-trained Melody Belle last seen winning the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) across the Tasman on April 1.
Ruby Red Heart meanwhile represents great value in the markets according to her trainer sitting at $26.
All-in JJ Atkins betting is also led by Melody Belle who is at an equal early quote of $6.50 along with Chris Waller’s Champagne Classic winner Tangled.
Punters keen to take Zielke’s advice can find Ruby Red Heart at $34 in the pre-field JJ Atkins odds for next month’s feature.
“Her run in the Ken Russell was a bottler and she got home like a train,” Zielke told Racing Queensland this week.
“Going to 1400 metres in the Sires’ will suit her even better but I can’t wait for the JJ Atkins.
“Her owners have had a bit of a nibble in the JJ Atkins when they took $200 before the Ken Russell.
“Betting was suspended straight after the Ken Russell and when it came back online she was $35.”
Zielke is also taking on the interstate raiders on Saturday with his in-form three-year-old Dreams Aplenty, the last start Group 3 Gunsynd Classic winner jumping from barrier six in the Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1400m).
“She’s [Red Ruby Heart’s] actually put on a bit of condition and has matched motors with Dreams Aplenty in track gallops,” he said.
“A month between runs for Dreams Aplenty has been a blessing and I expect both will be very competitive after they drew so well.”
To back the Zielke-trained runners at Eagle Farm on Saturday at the right price head to Ladbrokes.com.au now who also have the top Group 1 racing markets for upcoming features open.
