Spring in Broadsiding’s step after dominant G1 J.J. Atkins victory

Outstanding two-year-old Broadsiding gave a glimpse of what could prove a stellar spring when he blitzed a big field to win the G1 J.J. Atkins Stakes over 1,600m at Eagle Farm on Saturday, 15 June.

Already a winner of the Listed Fernhill Mile, the G1 Champagne Stakes and the G2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes this season, Broadsiding gave champion jockey James McDonald an armchair ride in sixth spot to the home turn before accelerating clear to win by 4.25 lengths.

McDonald stood high in the irons over the final 50m as Broadsiding showed he was the best two-year-old in Australia, beating Bittercreek and Bosustow in a fast 1 minute 34.89 seconds.

By Too Darn Hot, who already has 12 individual winners of 18 races this season in Australia, the James Cummings-trained Broadsiding only has to pull up well and develop during a well-earned spell to be a leading G1 Caulfield Guineas and possibly a G1 W.S. Cox Plate contender later this year.

“He’s such a good colt so he certainly deserves his chance, but great credit to the team who have managed through a big campaign,” a delighted Cummings said.

“The only real doubt throughout the week for some was a dry track or perhaps even a long prep, but I’ve got such a good team that I’ve been able to keep him not only fit but also healthy, well, growing and loving his training.

“He paraded like a colt that was thriving and he got the big salute there from James McDonald. 

“He’s what you love to look for in a two-year-old and yet he’s got that dynamic motor, the way he cruised up into that race was effortless and James just rode him like he was the best horse in the race, he was full of confidence in the horse.

“He sort of had that feel about perhaps being the best two-year-old in the country this season.”

Cummings prepared Anamoe to win the G1 Caulfield Guineas and then finish an unlucky second in the Cox Plate as a spring three-year-old in 2021.

But Broadsiding has done something Anamoe didn’t do at the same age – prove himself at 1,600m. 

“That big salute, that’s pretty special for a colt that I think deserves a lot of praise,” Cummings said.

“He’s been a horse that has been able to keep improving and, being by Too Darn Hot out of a Street Cry mare (Speedway), he’s got his future well and truly assured on the roster at Darley.”

McDonald couldn’t hide his excitement and his adulation for Broadsiding.

“Champion two-year-old that one,” he quipped.

“I’ve had enough practises being in behind (blocked) today, I thought I better let that one go.

“I thought he executed the gallop beautifully.

“He’s a ball of muscle, he knows he’s really good. 

“He’s a character but James (Cummings) has done a phenomenal job.

“I can’t stress how good a job he’s done, to be fair.

“He keeps raising the bar, but he’s got a good colt on his hands. He’s special.

“He is a fair dinkum two-year-old and he will get stronger as he gets older.”

Cummings finished the day at Eagle Farm with a second (Pereille) in the Listed Mark Hinkler Handicap over 1,200m and a third with Vilana in the G1 Stradbroke Handicap over 1,400m.