Press Statement remains unbeaten as he followed in the footsteps of half-brother Pressday by claiming the Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) at Doomben on Saturday.

Leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller has had plenty of success in recent years with runners that have contested the JJ Atkins.

Dual Group 1-winning stallion Zoustar finished runner up in the 2013 edition before going on to capture the Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) and Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).

Brazen Beau would finish second the following year and he has since claimed the Coolmore Stud Stakes and the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m).

It was third time lucky for Waller in as many years though with Press Statement defeating Sagaronne by three-quarters of a length whilst Look To The Stars, Cylinder Beach and Bassett all finished between two and two and a half lengths from the winner.

For Waller, it was his second success in the JJ Atkins after previously preparing Pressday, a half-brother to Press Statement, to win the 2010 edition.

Press Statement made it a perfect three from three as he successfully backed up after taking out a 2YO Plate (1350m) at Rosehill Gardens on May 30.

Waller was considering not starting the son of Hinchinbrook in the race but once he saw the two-year-old colt’s condition following the Rosehill victory, he knew that he had to back him up.

“He looked better after his win last Saturday than he had at any time this whole preparation, so I was convinced to run as soon as I saw him,” Waller told News Corp.
“But Tony and I did agree that if he drew a bad barrier we wouldn’t come. As soon as I saw the barrier though, I knew Tony would still want to come.”

Owner-breeder Tony Muollo also owned Pressday and he said it was pleasing to have purchased his dam, Kaaptive Empress, and a huge thrill to have bred Press Statement from the mare.

“I was lucky enough to be in the ownership of Pressday and now to have bred this horse is a fantastic feeling,” Muollo told News Corp.

When the colt resumes, Waller will consider whether to restrict Press Statement to sprint racing which has been extremely successful for Zoustar and Brazen Beau, or whether to test him out over further.

“We will start at the sprint trips and see where he takes us,” he said.

It was a successful trip north for Waller. He prepared the Listed Wayne Wilson Mile (1600m) quinella of Strawberry Boy and Flamingo Star whilst Catkins and Boban ran second in the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1350m) and Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1350m) respectively. Source: Trent Orwin