Eagle Farm takes centre stage this Saturday with two major Group 1 contests shaping a high-quality afternoon of racing in Brisbane.
The two-year-olds will step out in the $1 million J.J. Atkins over 1600 metres, a race that often identifies the emerging staying and classic prospects of the next season. Later on the card, the $3 million Stradbroke Handicap brings together a deep field of established stars, local heroes, weight-for-age performers and emerging handicap chances over 1400 metres.
Both races carry very different profiles, but each has the feel of a genuine championship event.
$1 Million G1 J.J. Atkins 1600m
The J.J. Atkins has drawn together a fascinating mix of proven Queensland form, Sydney raiders and improving juveniles ready to test themselves at a mile.
The obvious starting point is Berzelius, who stamped himself as a serious Group 1 player with his win in the BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes at Eagle Farm. Trained by Michael Freedman and ridden again by Tommy Berry, the Extreme Choice colt showed he could settle, travel and finish off strongly over 1400 metres. That performance suggested the step to 1600 metres should be within reach, particularly from barrier five, which gives Berry options to find cover and build into the race at the right time.
Berzelius had been beaten in the Ken Russell Memorial at the Gold Coast before producing a much sharper performance in the Sires’ Produce. That progression is important because the J.J. Atkins often rewards horses peaking at the end of a campaign rather than those who have shown their hand too early. His Eagle Farm win showed both toughness and adaptability, and he now gets the chance to turn that Group 2 success into a Group 1 title.
Martist is another major player. The Tony Gollan-trained colt has been around the mark throughout his short career and brings a strong local profile into the race. He chased home Vantorix in the Spirit Of Boom Classic before finishing third behind Berzelius in the Sires’ Produce. Mark Zahra sticks with him, and while barrier 12 is not perfect, he has shown enough closing quality to be a genuine winning chance if the race opens up late.
Chris Waller has a strong presence through Tron Bolt and Stormy Marco. Tron Bolt arrives with a progressive profile, having won at Kensington before producing another strong performance at Rosehill. He has been effective from off the speed and gives the impression that the mile will suit. The Waller stable knows exactly how to place and prepare young horses for this type of assignment, and Tron Bolt’s form through Sydney should measure up well.
Stormy Marco is the more intriguing Waller runner. He was a debut winner over 1400 metres at Hawkesbury before finishing midfield in the Sires’ Produce. That run may not tell the full story, as he was still inexperienced and appeared capable of better than the bare result. From barrier two, he could get a much softer run this time and should not be dismissed.
Voynichese adds another layer of interest. The Nick Olive-trained filly has quickly moved through the grades, winning a country maiden before stepping up sharply to take out the Phoenix at Eagle Farm over 1500 metres. That win showed she is already comfortable around the circuit and gives her a strong platform for the mile. She faces a tougher task against the boys and a deeper Group 1 field, but her timing is good and she arrives with momentum.
Glenorchy also exits the Phoenix, where he chased Voynichese home after starting favourite. He is still a maiden, but his closing effort over 1500 metres gives him some claims if the tempo is genuine. Cormier brings a lightly raced profile and comes through a strong Rosehill placing behind Tron Bolt, while Kickup Rocky has local experience and was far from disgraced when fourth in the Sires’ Produce after getting well back.
The J.J. Atkins looks likely to revolve around whether Berzelius can repeat his Sires’ Produce performance at the mile. If he can, he sets a high standard. Martist has the right form to turn the tables, Tron Bolt brings the Waller polish, and Voynichese is the fast-rising filly trying to complete a remarkable rise.
$3 Million G1 Stradbroke Handicap 1400m
The Stradbroke Handicap again has all the ingredients of a classic Eagle Farm grand final: a capacity field, proven Group 1 performers, progressive lightweight hopes and a genuine spread of winning chances.
Headley Grange enters as one of the key runners after his breakthrough win in the Kingsford Smith Cup. The Joseph Pride-trained gelding proved he could match it at the highest level when successful over 1300 metres at Eagle Farm, and the rise to 1400 metres looks suitable. He drops into the Stradbroke with 55kg and has drawn barrier eight, which gives Adam Hyeronimus the chance to hold a midfield position without being forced too far back. That combination of recent Group 1 winning form, a suitable draw and a workable weight makes him one of the most important runners in the race.
Fangirl brings the class factor. The Chris Waller-trained mare has been one of Australia’s best weight-for-age performers for several seasons and comes into the Stradbroke after running third in the Kingsford Smith Cup. She has won multiple races at 1400 metres and 1600 metres, and James McDonald taking the ride is a major positive. The challenge is the weight: 56.5kg is a significant impost in a Stradbroke, especially against younger or lighter-weighted rivals. Even so, her closing sectionals and proven Group 1 quality make her impossible to ignore.
Rothfire gives the race a strong Queensland storyline. The Robert Heathcote-trained warrior returned to the Group 1 winners’ circle in the Doomben 10,000 before finishing seventh in the Kingsford Smith Cup. He has been a crowd favourite for years and remains capable of producing a big performance when conditions fall his way. Eagle Farm is familiar territory, and although the 1400 metres is a question compared with his best sprinting form, his toughness and class keep him in the conversation.
Private Eye is another seasoned Group 1 performer who commands respect. Trained by Joseph Pride, he has built a career around high-level performances from 1200 metres to 1600 metres and has run well in elite company across multiple campaigns. His sixth in the Kingsford Smith Cup was better than it may read on paper, with only a small margin separating several key runners. From barrier four, Nash Rawiller can have him closer to the speed than some of the other main chances, which could prove important.
Another Wil also comes through the Kingsford Smith Cup, where he finished fourth and was beaten less than a length. The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding has always looked a high-class 1400-metre to mile horse, and he now gets another chance to land a major Group 1. The draw in barrier 17 is the obvious concern, but his tactical speed gives Ryan Maloney options if he can slide across without doing too much early work.
Among the lighter-weighted chances, Spicy Martini is especially interesting. She was runner-up to Rothfire in the Doomben 10,000 and carries just 51.5kg here from barrier two. That gives her a genuine map advantage if she can hold a position and conserve energy. Her Eagle Farm record is also strong, which makes her one of the more attractive lightweight runners in the field.
Abounding is another local with claims, especially after earning her way into the race through strong winter carnival form. She carries 52kg and has enough tactical versatility to be competitive, although barrier 15 means she will need luck early. Transatlantic, King Of Roseau, Estadio Mestalla and Warnie add further depth to a race where the tempo and track pattern could play a major role.
Sixties sits as Emergency 1 as Jamie Melham bypassed other offers to stick with the Chris Waller trained runner and connections will be nervously refreshing the racing page to see if any runner comes out before Saturday morning in hope of gaining a start.
The Stradbroke sets up as a clash between established class and race-shape advantage. Fangirl is the headline mare, Headley Grange is the in-form Group 1 winner, Rothfire is the Queensland hero, and Private Eye brings proven big-race credentials. But with the light weights and wide barriers adding layers of complexity, this year’s edition has all the hallmarks of a truly competitive Stradbroke.
By Scott Bailey – iRACE
