Saturday’s Group I JJ Atkins Plate (1600m) at Eagle Farm is the final Group 1 race for two-year-olds and is chockful of contenders that will play a role in the three-year-old riches in the spring.
Champion trainer Chris Waller has two leading chances: the $1,900,000 Magic Millions sale-topper Basquiat (Snitzel) and the $900,000 Inglis Easter purchase Political Debate (So You Think).
Two other million-dollar colts attempting to dent their purchase price are the Zoustar colt Brereton and the Snitzel colt Brosnan.
Should Basquiat or Brosnan claim the first prize of $600,000, Snitzel will mount a serious challenge to Rebel Dane for Champion 2yo Sire. A scenario that seemed unlikely just a few short weeks ago.
Similarly, should Political Debate or the promising Lethal Thoughts claim the race, So You Think is back in business in the race for Champion Sire.
Political Debate, the New Zealander Sharp ‘N’ Smart (Redwood), and the hugely impressive QTC Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Sheeza Belta (Gold Standard) are battling it out for favouritism.
With some concern about getting carried away by the hype. we will stick with Political Debate.
The striking son of So You Think debuted with a second to Resonator on a heavy 9 at Canterbury in April.
Stepped up to Group II company, Political Debate was comprehensively outpointed by Swiss Exile when third in the Spirit Of Boom Classic (1200m) at Eagle Farm on May 14.
Sent off a short-priced favourite for last week’s Listed Phoenix (1500m) at Eagle Farm, Political Debate broke his maiden, but Sharp ‘N’ Smart had his measure in one stride more.
A $900,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Hermitage / T Magnier from the Kia Ora stud draft, Political Debate is raced by Coolmore and partners and is the second foal of the Zabeel mare Nakataan.
A half-sister to Champion NZ 3YO Filly, multiple Group II winner and Group 1 NZ Derby runner-up Fix (Iffraaj) and Group 1 South African Derby runner-up Galileo’s Destiny (Galileo), Nakataan was an $800,000 purchase at the 2013 NZ Premier Yearling Sale,
That made the daughter of Zabeel the second most expensive lot of the sale.
Racing in the colours of Kia Ora Stud, Nakataan recouped just over $36,000 on the track with success in a 1900m maiden at Kilmore, her lone victory.
Nakataan is a daughter of the unraced Danehill (USA) mare Destined, a three-quarter sister to Chris Waller’s triple Group I winner Foreteller (IRE) and a half-sister to Group II winner Modern Look (Zamindar) and Listed winner Arabesque (Zafonic), the dam of Showcasing (Oasis Dream) and Camacho (Danehill).
Phil Cataldo Bloodstock purchased a Deep Field half-sister to Political Debate for $280,000 from the Kia Ora Stud draft at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
After foaling a colt to Deep Field last spring, Nakataan revisited So You Think.
