JJ Atkins 2020 Odds Update: Rothfire Feels The Byrne of Wide Alley

June 4, 2020

JJ Atkins 2020 Odds Update: Rothfire Feels The Byrne of Wide Alley

Comeback king Jim Byrne is confident he can still secure a win for the punters in Saturday’s J.J. Atkins 2020 despite the easing favourite Rothfire drawing wide in the Eagle Farm feature.

Jim Byrne. Photo: Daniel Costello.

Jockey Jim Byrne chases a sixth Group 1 success aboard Rothfire in Saturday’s J.J. Atkins. Photo: Daniel Costello.

Byrne, who has made an incredible return to riding after breaking his leg at Doomben last December, is excited to partner the Robert Heathcote-trained Rothfire for the second time this prep in the Group 1 J.J. Atkins (1400m).

The event, traditionally a mile affair, has a reduced distance and prize money is down to $350,000 due to COVID-19 this season but the class of the two-year-olds in the field remains high.

Sitting top of the markets at an easing quote of $3.80 through Ladbrokes.com.au, Rothfire suffered what the punters have deemed an early blow with barrier 14.

Even with the two emergencies out, the favourite’s gate will become 13 of 18 at best.

Byrne, who rode the consistent Rothesay gelding to his fifth win last start in the Group 2 Champagne Classic (1200m) at Eagle Farm on May 23, believes his horse can still get the job done from the wide alley.

“Horses can win from out there as it is a long run to the first turn. He is the type of horse to just let roll after the start,” he told AAP.

“I liked the way he relaxed in trackwork on Tuesday morning and I keep saying he is the horse they have to beat.

“He is a nice horse, improving all the time and can go on from here.”

Success on Saturday would see the hoop celebrate his sixth Group 1 win and second in the J.J. Atkins following his victory aboard the Paul Butterworth-trained Capital Gain in 2017.

Ten-time Group 1 winning trainer Heathcote meanwhile chases his maiden win in the J.J. Atkins.

The Toby & Trent Edmonds-trained Wisdom Of Water occupies the second line of J.J. Atkins betting at $6 chasing a third win on the trot this prep.

Robbie Fradd rides the consistent Headwater colt from barrier 10 with Wisdom Of Water coming off back-to-back wins at his home track at the Gold Coast, the latest by nearly three lengths as the odds-on favourite in the Group 3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic (1200m).

Also out to extend a winning streak in the J.J. Atkins is undefeated filly Macroura, the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained daughter of Snitzel drawn a treat in barrier two.

She has won all three starts leading up to her acid test this weekend, the latest over 1100m in Black-Type company at Rosehill.

Despite the rise in distance and outside gate, her drop back from 58kg to 55kg has Macroura at $6.50 in J.J. Atkins betting.

Rounding out the single-figure fancies and, like the favourite, on the drift is the Champagne Classic runner-up Isotope ($6.50 out to $7.50) for Tony Gollan.

Jockey Baylee Nothdurft continues his association with the Deep Field filly and believes she has improvement to come off her last start and that the wide alley (13) is a non-issue.

“She was a month between runs the other day, had a good blow after it, and you could definitely tell it wasn’t her grand final. She’s right to go,” he told The Courier Mail this week.

“It’s not that bad (the barrier). We’ve got Wisdom Of Water inside, Rothfire and Wild Ruler outside of us, and Starosa one under me, so I will probably roll forward with them and I think we will end up in a reasonable spot, either third pair or second pair.”

Click here for the full J.J. Atkins 2020 odds courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au.

Racing fields and data are copyright 2011-2021 © Racing Australia Pty Ltd (RA) (and other parties working with it).
Racing materials, including fields, form and results, is subject to copyright which is owned by RA and other parties working with it. Full copyright notice.

Spring Racing

Military Mission Fires in 2023...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field �...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title

Danny O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare continues to show a...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbott...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Betting Markets

Bjron Baker’s The Everest performer Overpass is tipped to return to winning...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 R...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 Race Field & Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Pierro four-year-old Osipenko is firm favourite in...

2023 Railway Stakes Field ...

2023 Railway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Tuvalu Narrow Favourite

The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest...

Horse Racing Today

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapat...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: L...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Co-trainer Gai Waterhouse extended her record to eight victories in the 2024...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winne...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Veight joined an elite list of three-year-olds to beat home the older horses...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results:...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Chris Waller’s VRC Derby winner from the spring, Riff Rocket, now has the...

2024 Ranvet Stakes Results: Vi...

2024 Ranvet Stakes Results: Via Sistina Too Good Debuting for Waller

Yu Long Investments lucrative European purchase, the now Chris Waller-trained...

Race Results

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapateo Upsets Sunshine In Paris

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Imperatriz Defends Title in 2024 William Reid Stakes

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Race Previews

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off

Fields & Form

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off