Trainer Chris Waller looks to add another Brisbane Group 1 trophy to the cabinet this weekend at Eagle Farm Racecourse saddling-up the favourite Tannhauser in Group 1 $1 million Ladbrokes J.J. Atkins (1600m).

Tannhauser is one of the best in JJ Atkins 2023 betting in Brisbane on Saturday. Photo: Steve Hart.

Stradbroke Handicap Day brings the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival action to its peak on Saturday with two elite level races for punters to enjoy.

The support act to the main course sees a 17-horse field of juveniles face off in the J.J. Atkins over the mile.

It is Waller’s progressive Dundeel colt Tannhauser leading markets on the final acceptances at $4.20 through race sponsor Ladbrokes.

The youngster enjoyed his first turf triumph at his fourth start last time out at Randwick when posting a narrow upset over 1400m on May 27.

He now rises in grade for the J.J. Atkins where he is drawn to get the run of the race with J-Mac in the saddle.

Waller won his third J.J. Atkins back in 2018 with The Autumn Sun.

Along with this year’s top elect he also chases his fourth with the widely-drawn Chryasor ($13) who comes off a third in the Group 2 BRC Sires’ at the track and the well-backed Congregation ($8).

Kerrin McEvoy partners undefeated Snitzel colt Congregation from gate five having ridden the talented two-year-old for his opening two career wins in New South Wales.

The horse’s last start was a photo-finish triumph over 1300m at Rosehill on June 3.

He is now on the quick back-up going up to a mile for the first time, but he remains safe in betting dropping from 58kg last start to 57kg for the Group 1.

Peter & Paul Snowden prepared the filly Sheeza Belter to victory in last year’s J.J. Atkins, and this year the father-son partnership saddle-up two genuine chances in Make A Call ($7) and Snapback ($10) drawn in barriers 13 and 10 respectively.

Make A Call is one of the best-tried horses in the race having his 10^th start on Saturday.

The Extreme Choice colt remains a maiden and is looking to improve on his last start sixth when under two lengths off the winner in the Sires’ here at a big price.

He is already Group 1 performed over the 1600m when fifth at Randwick in the Champagne Stakes in mid-April and shapes-up as a genuine chance here.

Stablemate Snapback is also a maiden with the son of Snitzel having run second or third in all four of his starts including the eye-catching Sires’ second last start.

The BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Cifrado dons the No. 1 saddlecloth in the J.J. Atkins field this year for Toowoomba trainer Rex Lip.

Sheeza Belter did the BRC Sires’ – J.J. Atkins double last winter, and the markets have Cifrado at a generous $13 to be the next.

The Encryption colt is enjoying a purple patch of form in Brisbane having also won the Group 2 Champagne Classic (1200m) at Doomben at 25/1 two starts back.

The other best in J.J. Atkins betting this season equal with Make A Call at $7 is Azula.

She is the best fancied of the fillies looking to go back-to-back for the girls in the feature and jumps from gate 11 with Tim Clark riding.

The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott stable won the J.J. Atkins two years ago with Converge.

Their in-form Maurice filly Azula looks a winning hope this winter after her Listed Phoenix Stakes (1500m) triumph here last weekend.

The J.J. Atkins joins the Group 1 $3 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) on Saturday’s lucrative Eagle Farm race card.

2023 J.J. Atkins Field & Barriers

Table Credit: Racing Australia.