The Robert Heathcote-trained favourite Rothfire has drawn out wide with barrier 14 in a capacity JJ Atkins 2020 field at Eagle Farm this weekend.

Jockey Jim Byrne (pictured riding the 2017 JJ Atkins winner Capital Gain) chases another win in the Group 1 in 2020 on the widely-drawn favourite Rothfire. Photo: Steve Hart.

One of only two elite level races taking place this Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival due to COVID-19, the Group 1 $350,000 J.J. Atkins runs alongside the Stradbroke Handicap on Saturday and takes place over a reduced distance of 1400m.

A full line-up of 18 two-year-olds will face off in the event and even with the two emergencies coming out, the widely-drawn favourite Rothfire will jump from gate 13 at best.

Jim Byrne continues his association on the start local, the hoop chasing a second JJ Atkins victory following his win aboard Capital Gain in 2017.

Rothesay gelding Rothfire is an Eagle Farm track specialist having won all four of his previous starts at the course including his last start victory in the Group 2 Champagne Classic (1200m).

He won by a dominant 1.3 lengths that day, but will be tested on the weekend going up in distance.

Despite the wide gate and queries over the distance, Rothfire remains the clear favourite in JJ Atkins betting at $3.80 through Ladbrokes.com.au.

Runner-up in the Champagne Classic, Tony Gollan’s talented young Deep Field Isotope returns looking to turn the tables in the Group 1 on Saturday.

She was brave in defeat when suffering her first loss, up in grade for her Eagle Farm debut, and will be improving off the run making her a value shot on the second line of betting at $5.50.

Gollan also saddles-up his Starspangledbanner filly Starosa ($51) in the JJ Atkins field this season, the two-time Doomben winner drawn barrier 11 – two on the inside of her better fancied stablemate Isotope in 13.

Third elect at JJ Atkins odds of $6 following the field and barrier draw is Wisdom Of Water for Gold Coast trainers Toby & Trent Edmonds.

The consistent Headwater colt is three from five to date and comes off back-to-back wins at his home track on the Gold Coast last month.

The latest saw him storm home by nearly three lengths in the Group 3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic (1200m) on May 16 and he looks a big hope going up to 1400m from gate 10 on the weekend with Robbie Fradd retaining the ride.

Team Edmonds also saddle-up the in-form The Drinks Cart in gate eight, the son of Unencumbered paying $18 to extend his winning streak to three on the trot after back-to-back Gold Coast wins carrying 59kg and 60.5kg respectively over sprint distances.

Rounding out the single-figure fancies to win the juveniles’ feature at $8 in the current markets is the undefeated Snitzel filly Macroura for Ciaron Maher & David Eustace.

To date she has won all three of her career starts in Sydney, the latest seeing her carry 58kg to a 1.5 length win at Rosehill in mid-May taking out the Listed Woodlands Stakes (1100m).

She rises notably in both grade and distance for the JJ Atkins, but dropping back to 55kg with a gun barrier two draw puts her right in the mix.

Click here for the latest JJ Atkins 2020 betting odds courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au.

2020 JJ Atkins Field & Barriers