A champion’s resolve was on full display as Tron Bolt, expertly ridden by James McDonald, stormed to victory in the Group 1 JJ Atkins Stakes (1600m) at Eagle Farm. This triumph also saw McDonald surpass Malcolm Johnston’s long-standing record for the most group one victories in a single Australian season.
McDonald’s existing 141 group one winners already place him in esteemed company, but his 17 wins in the 2025/26 season now establish a new benchmark.
“I feel very humbled and privileged to be in this position,” McDonald said. “To ride horses like that who give me great rides, I thought he was exceptional today. It is nice to stand alone.”
Trained by Chris Waller, Tron Bolt ($1.80 favourite) fought off the challenge from Cormier ($11), expertly steered by Aaron Bullock, to win by a length. Waller’s other stablemate, Stormy Marco ($14), finished in third place.
“You’d think that James McDonald would hand up just one group one, wouldn’t you,” Bullock stated jokingly after the race.
This victory marks the fourth JJ Atkins win for the Waller stable, adding to their previous successes with Pressday in 2010, Press Statement in 2015, and The Autumn Sun in 2018.
The Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) is now being considered as a primary spring target for Tron Bolt.
“With (stud) values, you always try and win something shorter like a Golden Rose at our home track,” Waller added. “We try and use the Golden Rose as a steppingstone to either a Coolmore Stud Stakes up the (Flemington) straight, but for this horse’s example it would be more a Caulfield Guineas.”
McDonald, who also won the Atkins on Broadsiding in 2024, shared his observations on the distinctions between the two colts.
“Broadsiding was a bit spunkier,” McDonald said. “He was the real deal. This one, he’s a bit sleepy but he’s alive when you really want him to and that is the great thing about this horse. You can put him to sleep. He does what he needs to do and he’ll wake up.
“A little bit chalk and cheese but he’ll reach great heights, this horse. A bit of furnishing to do but he’ll come on immensely. He’s very adaptable and he’s got a bright future.”
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