JJ Atkins Stakes 2026 Tips, Field, Odds & Best Bets

The Group 1 JJ Atkins (1400m) will be run at Eagle Farm on Saturday, June 6 and Bettingpro.com.au provides you with a comprehensive guide to the race.

The JJ Atkins 2026 is the premier two-year-old race of the Brisbane Winter Carnival — a $1 million Group 1 over 1600m at Eagle Farm on Saturday 13 June 2026, the same day as the Stradbroke. This is our complete guide: the 2026 date and start times, the field, tips and best bets, live odds, the form guide, how to watch, past winners and FAQs — updated through the carnival with the latest field, odds and our best bets.

The JJ Atkins 2026: Key Details

Detail	Value
Race	JJ Atkins (Group 1, set weights)
Date	Saturday 13 June 2026
Start time	~3:00pm AEST (confirmed race week)
Venue	Eagle Farm Racecourse, Brisbane
Distance	1600m
Conditions	Group 1, set weights, two-year-olds
Prize money	$1 million
Broadcast	Sky Racing + free bookmaker live streams

 

When is the JJ Atkins & What Time?

The JJ Atkins is run on Stradbroke Day at Eagle Farm in mid-June. In 2026 that’s Saturday 13 June, with the two-year-old feature run earlier on the card than the Stradbroke (approximately 3:00pm AEST; the exact time is confirmed race week). It’s a winter meeting (no daylight saving) — local start times by state:

State	Local start time
QLD / NSW / VIC / ACT / TAS	~3:00pm AEST
South Australia	~2:30pm ACST
Northern Territory	~2:30pm ACST
Western Australia	~1:00pm AWST

 

The Winter’s Two-Year-Old Championship

The JJ Atkins is the premier two-year-old race of the Brisbane winter and one of the few Group 1s in the country for juveniles run over a mile — a genuine staying test that sorts the precocious sprinters from the colts and fillies with a future. At $1 million it’s a rich target, and it has a strong record of launching stars: Broadsiding went on from his 2024 win to a stakes-winning spring, and earlier winners like Rothfire became headline gallopers. It’s the juvenile centrepiece of the carnival.

The JJ Atkins 2026 Field & Barrier Draw

Restricted to two-year-olds at set weights over 1600m, the JJ Atkins draws the best stay-on juveniles of the season, many heading north after autumn campaigns. With unexposed youngsters over a mile, a fair barrier, a good gate-speed and proven staying-on form are the keys. The field firms after the carnival lead-ups. Check back for the confirmed 2026 field and barrier draw.

JJ Atkins Tips, Best Bets & Predictions

Our tipsters post their JJ Atkins best bets and value selections once the field and barriers are confirmed. A mile for two-year-olds rewards a colt or filly that strongly hits the line and handles the trip — and with shallow juvenile form, each-way and exotic value is everywhere. Win and each-way are the staples. Bookmark this page for our final selections.

How to Bet on the JJ Atkins

All the standard markets apply — win and each-way, plus exotics (quinella, exacta, trifecta and first-four), which can pay well in a wide-open juvenile field. Futures open through the carnival. Prices vary between bookmakers, so always compare and take the best available — see our toplist below.

JJ Atkins Odds & Favourites

JJ Atkins markets firm through the carnival as the field is confirmed. Juvenile form is notoriously hard to read over a mile, so favourites are far from a lock — Cool Archie won as a progressive type in 2025 off a winning streak. For live JJ Atkins odds and the best price on every runner, compare the bookmakers below.

2026 final market & result: Blind Raise heads the 2026 JJ Atkins market around $4.60, unbeaten through two starts after a dominant Sandown maiden and a Listed Anzac Day Stakes victory. Tron Bolt ($8) and the locally-trained Martist ($11, for Tony Gollan) head the chasers. The official field and barriers are released Tuesday — our best bets follow once they’re confirmed.

JJ Atkins Form Guide

The key form lines are the autumn two-year-old races and the Queensland winter juvenile lead-ups. Look for a youngster getting stronger with distance, with a sound recent run and a fair barrier. The JJ Atkins is the juvenile feature of the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival, shared with the Stradbroke Handicap on the carnival’s biggest day.

JJ Atkins Recent Winners

Tron Bolt won the 2026 JJ Atkins for James McDonald and Chris Waller, beating Cormier. Recent winners:

Year	Winner	Note
2026	Tron Bolt	$1.80 fav; J. McDonald (C. Waller), beat Cormier
2025	Cool Archie	Fifth straight win
2024	Broadsiding	Dominant; later a stakes star
2023	King Colorado
2022	Sheeza Belter	Filly; beat Political Debate
2021	Converge

 

History & Background

Named after long-serving racing administrator J.J. Atkins, the race has been the great Queensland test for two-year-olds for over a century and one of the few juvenile Group 1s contested over a mile. Stars including Rothfire and Broadsiding have used it as a launching pad, and it remains the highlight of two-year-old racing in the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival.

How to Watch the JJ Atkins (Live Stream & TV)

The JJ Atkins is shown on Sky Racing, with free-to-air coverage in Queensland, and you can live stream the race free with most licensed Australian bookmakers once your account is funded. Replays go up on the Racing Queensland and Sky channels shortly after.

Best Bookmakers for the JJ Atkins

For a full comparison of the top Australian racing bookmakers — best odds, futures and live streaming — see our best horse racing betting sites in Australia guide.

JJ Atkins FAQs

When is the JJ Atkins 2026?

Saturday 13 June 2026 at Eagle Farm, over 1600m — the same day as the Stradbroke Handicap.

How much is the JJ Atkins worth?

$1 million, at Group 1 set-weights level for two-year-olds.

Who won the 2025 JJ Atkins?

Cool Archie, recording his fifth straight win.

What distance is the JJ Atkins?

1600m — one of the few Group 1 races for two-year-olds run over a mile.

Is the JJ Atkins only for two-year-olds?

Yes — it’s a set-weights race restricted to two-year-old colts, fillies and geldings.

What time is the JJ Atkins?

Mid-afternoon — approximately 3:00pm AEST — confirmed race week (no daylight saving).

How can I watch the JJ Atkins?

On Sky Racing, with free-to-air coverage in Queensland and free live streams via most bookmakers.