Price Pressing Claims on J.J. Atkins

Trainer Mick Price is confident of a far-greater performance from exciting two-year-old Pressing in this weekend’s Group 1 J.J. Atkins (1600m) after fitting the colt for blinkers last weekend.

Trainer Mick Price is confident in a polished Pressing for the 2014 J.J. Atkins. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia

Unable to handle the late pace when ninth in the Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1350m) in his first appearance north of the border last time out, Price said champion jockey Damien Oliver had reported the Sebring colt was a prime candidate for blinkers and begging for a step-up in distance.

Completing a strong hit-out on Saturday, Price confirmed Pressing will take to the track on Tuesday for his final piece of serious work ahead of this weekend’s Group 1 for two-year-olds.

“Damien made a case for him that he got lost that way of going, it was a leader dominated races and his last 100 metres was good,” Price told AAP.

“Damien said he was ‘screaming for blinkers’, those were his exact words.

“He worked in blinkers on Saturday morning and was much better; he’ll be working in blinkers on the grass on Tuesday.”

While unable to figure in his only Queensland start so far, Price said Pressing has taken particularly well to life in Brisbane and is hopeful of continuing his current preparation beyond this weekend.

“He’s thrived up there and putting on weight so we train on,” Price added.

Debuting on track with an impressive turn of foot to comfortably claim the Mindy Green 2.y.o Plate (1200m) on April 12^th, Pressing more than stamped his claims as one to watch throughout the 2014 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival when winning the Listed Sky High Mt Dandenong Stakes (1200m) by nearly four lengths, prior to the BRC Sires’ Produce.

Hopeful of an inside barrier for the 2014 J.J. Atkins, Pressing is currently offered at generous $8 odds in betting markets for success this weekend.

Comfortably winning the Group 2 Champagne Classic (1200m) on May 10^th, Brazen Beau has opened as and maintained favouritism for the 2014 J.J. Atkins; currently offered at a quote of $2.20, ahead of Almalad ($4.50) and Looks Like The Cat ($7).

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