Champion trainer Chris Waller is looking to nab another Queensland Winter Carnival Group 1 victory with one of his three runners in the Group 1 $600,000 BMW Australia J.J. Atkins (1600m) at Doomben on Saturday.
Press Statement, above, is one of three runners trainer Chris Waller will have in the J.J. Atkins at Doomben. Photo by Steve Hart.
Waller has already collected two Group 1 trophies at Doomben with Boban winning the $750,000 James Boag’s Premium Doomben 10000 (1350m) on May 23 and Winx beating the fillies in the $500,000 Treasury Casino & Hotel Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Doomben last Saturday.
Waller will saddle up Counterattack, Press Statement and Feast For Eyes and a win by any one of the juveniles would not surprise.
Hugh Bowman has ridden Counterattack at his two Doomben runs during the Winter Carnival and will stick with the Redoute’s Choice colt after finishing fourth to Look To The Stars in the Group 2 $250,000 Mitavite Australia BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1350m) at Doomben on May 23.
Counter Attack has drawn okay at barrier five while the undefeated Press Statement has drawn out at ten with Tye Angland to ride.
Angland takes over from the injured Jim Cassidy who was aboard Press Statement last Saturday in winning a 1350m two year old race at Rosehill while Angland scored on the colt on debut over 1100m at Canterbury on April 29.
Waller’s third runner is the More Than Ready colt Feast For Eyes who is coming off a comfortable win over 1550m in a midweek Canterbury two year old on May 27 and has Zac Purton in charge from the inside gate.
The Clarry Conners trained Look To The Stars earned herself a start in the J.J. Atkins after scoring a narrow win in the BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes and will get every chance from barrier four with Luke Tarrant retaining the ride.
Trainer Liam Birchely will be looking to produce a home town victory with either Blueberry Hill, barrier eight, or with Pepperano, barrier seven.
Blueberry Hill looks the better chance of the two fillies after a win in the Group 2 $175,000 Bollinger Champagne Classic (1200m) at Doomben on May 9 followed by a second in the Sires’ Produce Stakes and has Larry Cassidy in the saddle again.
While Damian Browne takes over from Tye Angland on Pepperano after finishing ninth in the Sires’ Produce Stakes.
Peter Moody has a high opinion of his Savabeel youngster Bassett and was quick to ship him up to Brisbane for the J.J. Atkins after scoring on debut over 1100m at Caulfield on May 16.
Stable rider Luke Nolen takes over from Daniel Stackhouse and will jump from gate two.
J.J. Atkins market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.80 Blueberry Hill, $5 Press Statement, $6 Bassett, $8 Counterattack, Look To The Stars, $9 Feast For Eyes, $14 Pepperano, Sagaronne, $15 Cyclinder Beach, $21 Ashlee Marie, $26 Typing, $81 Agree To.
