Australian Racing - Racing: Waller ace set for JJ Atkins task

bet365 News Team Published: Jun 04 2022 20:15

Political Debate put in a smart performance when winning the Listed The Phoenix at Eagle Farm on Saturday and he will now head for the JJ Atkins this coming weekend.

The Coolmore-owned colt was able to win at the third time of asking and now finds himself at the top of the market for the Group 1 contest next weekend at odds of 3/1, ahead of Sheeza Belter at 7/2 and Sharp 'N' Smart at 4/1, while Brereton is on offer at 15/2.

Early favouritism

Despite being a maiden from two starts, the Chris Waller-trained two-year-old went into Saturday's race as the favourite for feature contest next weekend.

With a win necessary for him to secure a place in that race, Political Debate settled sixth in the three-wide line and, after looking like he would win comfortably early in the straight, the race's second favourite Sharp 'N' Smart burst through in dangerous fashion, only to ultimately fail by a nose.

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Political Debate sold for $900,000 as yearling at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter sale from the Kia Ora draft to the joint bid of Tom Magnier and Hermitage.

His dam Nakataan is a winning half-sister to Group 2 Eight Carat Classic winner Fix, who was also runner-up in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby and dam of this year's French Group 3 performer Know Thyself.