Darley Bloodstock Manager Jason Walsh is confident that the step-up to a mile and the bigger Eagle Farm track will suit both Careless and Mohave in the 2014 J.J. Atkins tomorrow.
Mohave will be joined in the 2014 J.J. Atkins field by stablemate Careless at Eagle Farm this weekend. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Mohave started his 2014 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival campaign with a fair performance in the Group 2 Champagne Classic (1200m) at Doomben on May 10 and he defied the pattern of the day at the same venue a fortnight later to storm home for sixth in the Group 2 BRC Sires Produce Stakes (1350m), while Careless also made up ground late to finish fifth in the same race.
Walsh told Racing Ahead that the Darley operation was thrilled with the way that both colts performed in the J.J. Atkins and confirmed that the duo will be settled towards the tail of the field, once again, in the J.J. Atkins this weekend.
“We thought that they were great mile trials there, particularly going over the road to Eagle Farm because that Doomben track was playing with a significant bias and to run as well as both horses did on the day was really pleasing,” Walsh said.
“I think that our hand has been forced a bit with the barrier draw, particularly with Careless, and our view is that we would like to ride them conservative and trust that a mile over the road at Eagle Farm would be a bit different and give them the chance to finish off strongly.
“These Group 1 races always tend to have enough genuine speed to allow them to do that.”
Mohave has scored just one win from his six career starts, taking out the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) at Caulfield on January 25, but has previous experience at Group 1 level after finishing sixth behind stablemate Earthquake in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 22.
Careless has been unable to breakthrough for a maiden race win and will be making his debut at Group 1 level in the J.J. Atkins, but is yet to produce a poor performance during his racing career.
Brazen Beau remains a clear favourite in 2014 J.J. Atkins betting markets at a quote of $2 from Almalad ($5), Pressing ($8.50), Looks Like The Cat ($9) and Time For War ($10), while Careless and Mohave are both available at J.J. Atkins odds of $17.
