Trainer Robbie Laing is hoping for a midfield draw for his two year old Jaws Of Steel when the barriers are declared on Wednesday for the Group 1 $600,000 BMW J.J. Atkins (1600m) to be run at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Jaws Of Steel, above, has thrived since arriving in Queensland to run in the J J Atkins at Eagle Farm. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Laing would love to see Jaws Of Steel jump from barrier six, seven or eight and then settle midfield before rushing home down the middle of the track in the home straight.
“If he drew six, seven eight, got back to midfield would be nice. Peeling out on the corner, he is a very determined finished and game and fit,” Laing told racing.com.
Jaws Of Steel was able to win at his second race start when Brad Rawiller steered him to victory in the $100,000 Mornington Sires’ (1500m) at Mornington on April 2 and the top Victorian jockey gets the ride again in the J J Atkins.
“Brad is riding him and knows the horse well,” Laing said.
Jaws Of Steel was back in the prizemoney last start with Jamie Mott in the saddle when he came from near last to run third to Sebring Dreams in a 1400m Flemington two year old Plate on May 21.
Laing then sent the Sharkbite youngster to Queensland to give him plenty of time to settle in and said that he had thrived in his new surroundings.
“He travelled up really good. We went up ten days prior to the race. We got him there a little bit earlier, which was terrific because the weather up there has been really good and he has thrived,” Laing said.
“He is usually a little bit of a picky doer, but the mail form Heather who is looking after him can’t fill him.”
“He worked nicely. Did some even time with Ryan Wiggins on board on Saturday morning. He was very happy with him. Slow work this morning was good and gallops tomorrow morning on the grass.
“All of his races have eye catching. He went to Moonee Valley for his debut, not really expecting very much, missed the kick and then came from four lengths behind the second last horse to run fourth.”
“Then jumped up to 1500m for that MRC Sires, a $100,000, won easily.”
Laing is also confident if the track remains on the wet side for Saturday after the Eagle Farm meeting last Saturday was washed out because of the inclement weather over the weekend, Jaws Of Steel will have no trouble handing it.
“He has shown no indication that he won’t. He is tough, relaxed and he is bred to get through it so if he does he will run well,” Laing said.
Jaws Of Steel is marked as a $15 chance for the J J Atkins with Ladbrokes.com.au who have Kiwi youngster Sacred Elixir as the $4 favourite ahead of the John O’Shea trained Souchez at $5 and BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Attention at $7.
J.J. Atkins market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4 Sacred Elixir, $5 Souchez, $7 Attention, $8 Archives, $9 Candika, $10 Cadagan, $11 Nikitas, $13 Barbass, $15 Jericho, $17 Jaws Of Steel, Redouble, $21 Dreams Aplenty, $26 Real Classic, $34 Vasiliev, $41 Charnley River, Heart Skipt A Beat, Oink, $51 Zendaye, $81 Meet And Greet, $101 Doumbek, Endless Days, Our Cinderella, Punishing, Royal Atom.
