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Torque To Be Sure has eyes set on the JJ Atkins
by Kit Gow and Dane McLeod
The final juvenile Group 1 of the season looms with Saturday’s G1 JJ Atkins Plate, and trainer Matthew Dunn is hoping that current Soft 5 of the Eagle Farm track will provide clear running for his promising 2-year-old colt Torque To Be Sure (Shamus Award), after visibility issues impacted both horse and jockey during the G2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes, run in atrocious conditions two weeks ago.
“The jockey said he couldn't see, so I would assume the horse probably couldn't see either,” Dunn told media earlier in the week. “The horse didn't have any goggles on his head like the jockey did, so he was probably in a worse spot than the jockey.
“The horse took the brunt of the kickback and the conditions that day, especially considering he was in a horrible spot two lengths behind the second-last horse during the race. I was worried about the wet track, but he handled it well.”
Torque To Be Sure | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Despite the conditions, Torque To Be Sure produced a huge effort, storming home from last at both the 800-metre and 400-metre marks to finish a fast-closing fifth.
“I'm sure that, watching the race, if you were looking for something going to a mile next start, he was the pick. He was out the back door getting hit in the head by kickback and couldn't see where he was going, but he still launched late.”
“If you were looking for something going to a mile next start, he (Torque To Be Sure) was the pick.” - Matthew Dunn
Dunn lamented the colt's maiden status but acknowledged the strength of opposition faced so far.
“I wish he wasn't a maiden, but he shouldn't be, should he? In reality, he has run well enough to have won probably three of his starts. Because of the path we have taken with him, we have been forced to race him against better quality horses right through. It would have been lovely to take him to a maiden plate in the Northern Rivers and just let him blow them away.
“It would have been lovely to take him (Torque To Be Sure) to a maiden plate in the Northern Rivers and just let him blow them away.” - Matthew Dunn
“If he could win on Saturday, it would be enormous for Ian (Corazzol) who has been a huge supporter of mine. His wife passed away six weeks ago and that was a really difficult experience for him.”
Matthew Dunn | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Cool Archie (Cool Az A Beel {NZ}) justifiably leads the JJ Atkins betting currently, but there will be a great deal of attention on Aerodrome (Ole Kirk) and Providence (Wootton Bassett {GB}), whose sires are currently battling it out for the Champion First Season Sire title. Wootton Bassett needs the $600,000 first prize to pull ahead of Vinery Stud supremo Ole Kirk.
