Most Group 1s are full of glorious unpredictability, but James McDonald’s only issue in his JJ Atkins cakewalk was who would pay the fine for his huge salute aboard Broadsiding.
Starting a long odds-on favourite, the Godolphin colt looked the class horse in the race and McDonald made sure of it in one of the most dominant Group 1 displays possible.
With all three of his prior career wins coming on rain-affected tracks, some questioned his ability on top of the ground, but they were put to bed halfway up the Eagle Farm straight as McDonald streaked away and looked over his shoulder twice.
After getting caught behind runners in Godolphin colours twice earlier in the day, the superstar jockey pulled a Houdini act to get into a one-off position, despite jumping from barrier two.
McDonald, who landed four winners on the card, even had time to admire his work on the big screen, before jumping out of the saddle for a trademark salute to notch up career Group 1 winner 98.
“He’s a champion two-year-old that one,” McDonald declared.
“I have had enough practice being in behind them today, I thought I better let one go.
“I thought he executed the gallop beautifully, he is a ball of muscle and he knows he is real good.
“I can’t stress how good a job James (Cummings) has done with this horse, he is special.”
His demolition was enough for trainer James Cummings to label the colt the best two-year-old in the country, with the racing world now at his feet.
Bookmakers wound his Cox Plate quote in from $26 to $8, while he is also a $4.50 chance in the Group 1 Golden Rose in the spring.
“We got the big salute from James McDonald there which gave you the feel he could be the best two-year-old in the country,” Cummings said.
“He has been so good and been able to keep improving.
“James rode him like the best horse in the race, we hadn’t had the best of luck earlier in the day but he said I’m getting out on this one, don’t worry.”
After being well supported in betting, Mr Artemisia never fired a shot following some interference earlier in the race, with six jockeys called into the stewards room over the incident.
Queensland jockey Ryan Maloney pulled off a $101 coup in the Queensland Oaks a week earlier, and managed to run third aboard Bosustow.
It comes as Annabel Neasham has a fight on her hands to keep Megastar Heart racing in Australia following his dominant win in the Listed Oxlade Stakes (1300m) earlier in the day.
The two-year-old was subject to a late betting plunge, and McDonald delivered in a driving finish to get him over the line.
“He’s a beautiful colt and I’ve just got to persuade his owner to keep him in Australia for another year other than whisking him off to Hong Kong now,” Neasham said.
“I think he’s a really nice colt and he’ll be better again next year. He’s just very natural.
“I’d say this is well up there with one of the nicest two-year-olds I’ve had.”
Originally published as Godolphin colt Broadsiding rubber-stamps champion two-year-old status with emphatic victory in the Group 1 JJ Atkins at Eagle Farm