JJ Atkins Tips 2026 – Tronbolt to prove too strong at Eagle Farm

Tronbolt is clearly the horse the market wants to be with after a dominant last-start win at Rosehill on a Heavy track over the 1300m, and he has the profile of a colt that has been building towards this race. He was strong late, looked suited by the rise in trip and gives the impression that the 1600m will only bring him further into play, while he is in the hands of Waller, who has had plenty of success in this race with youngsters he has sent north from Sydney. 

The query is whether he deserves to be as short as he is in an even race. Berzelius won the BRC Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) and draws to get another soft run, but he was well suited there and looks under the odds from a betting perspective. Martist had little luck in the same race and can improve sharply with clear air, while Stormy Marco was going to be right in the finish before being badly checked and eased down late.

Cormier is another key runner if the track dries out. His debut win at Scone was sharp, and he looked ready to put them away at Rosehill before failing to let down on the wet ground. A firmer surface would bring him right into calculations.

Kickup Rocky is the value. He gives the impression that the mile will suit and he should be one of the stronger runners late. The issue is how much of a start he concedes, but if he can stay within range turning for home, he has the right profile to be charging through the line.

The JJ Atkins is Race 7 on the program with the Stradbroke Handicap to follow. 

There does not look to be a natural leader in this race, which makes the map a little tricky. Voynichese may be the one that rolls forward, while Berzelius can use barrier five to settle in a handy position again. Stormy Marco draws well in barrier two and should get every chance to hold a spot with cover, while Heatstroke can also be closer from barrier three. Tronbolt is likely to settle midfield from barrier nine, with Martist, Glenorchy and Kickup Rocky expected to be ridden quieter before building into the race late.

Tronbolt deserves favouritism and looks the horse with the most upside heading to the mile. His last-start win was visually excellent, particularly the way he powered through the line, and everything about him suggests the 1600m is going to suit. The son of Toronado went two lengths faster than standard benchmark, which is a better figure than what the Sires runners produced and has the turn of foot and staying style to put this field away if he gets clear air at the right time. In a race without much obvious speed, he may need the gaps to come, but he looks the one they all have to beat.

Kickup Rocky appeals as the value at double-figure odds. He is the type that should appreciate the rise to 1600m and his best work is likely to come late. The concern is that he may get back in a race that does not look overloaded with speed, but if Daniel Moor can keep him within striking range, he can be strong through the line. He has been unlucky in all three of his runs this time in and was caught wide no cover in the Sires but kept coming home with the fastest last 200m. One of the better roughies in the race and the trip should hold no fears, while he has the right style for a testing Eagle Farm mile.