Frankel's Converge Blows Then Away in the JJ Atkins

Mark Smith - Saturday June 12

A week that started for Frankel with a Group 1 win in the Derby at Epsom ended with a Group 1 win a half-world away in the $1million  Treasury Brisbane J.J. Atkins (1600m) for two-year-olds at Eagle Farm.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Converge treated a high-class field with contempt. Given a ground-saving ride by Tim Clark from an inside barrier, Converge was eased out into the running line turning for home. From then on, it was just a matter of how far. When the judge called the contest off, the gelded son of Frankel has a three and a quarter length margin over the Flying Artie colt Giannis with the Extreme Choice colt Tiger Of Malay a half-head back in third.

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Converge has looked a different horse since being allowed to find his feet early.

The Caulfield Guineas and Cox Plate look well within his scope in the spring.

His overall record advances to three wins, two seconds and a third from seven starts with earnings of $961,400.

Converge (image Steve Hart)

“We came here hoping to see a performance like that,” Bott said.

“We saw such a great run from him in the Sires, and we thought it was just a matter of holding him together and keep him up to the mark for one more run.  

“The (inside) draw was the key. We had all the favours in the run.

“He is putting it all together now. He is such a genuine horse. He is not the biggest in the stable, but he has the biggest heart. He is the most honest horse we have, and now he has a turn of foot to go with it, so he is dangerous.

“We made the decision to geld him early, and I think it has been the making of him.”

 A homebred for the Tony Bott managed Evergreen Rich, Converge is the first foal of the Shamardal (USA) mare Conversely (IRE) who failed to win in five starts in Ireland.

She was purchased for just €6,000 by BBA (Ireland) as an unraced 3yo out of the Godolphin draft at the 2017 Goffs February Sale.

Coolmore Stud consigned the daughter of Shamardal (USA) to the 2018 Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale when she was carrying Converge. She left the ring unsold when she fell short of her $300,000 reserve before being purchased privately for a reported $250,000.

A half-sister to the Japanese stakes-winner Danon Go Go (Aldebaran), Conversely (IRE) is a daughter of US Grade III winner and dual Grade 1 placed Melhor Ainda (USA) (Pulpit), who was bought as a yearling for $125,000 at the 2003 Keeneland September Sale.

Melhor Ainda went through the 2007 Keeneland November breeding Stock Sale, where she was knocked down to Godolphin representative John Ferguson for $2.3million.

(learn more about the breeding of Converge here)

Conversely has a yearling colt by Churchill (IRE), which was purchased for $28,000 at the 2020 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, and a colt foal by Invader. She was covered by Divine Prophet last spring.

Converge becomes the 15th Group 1 winner for Juddmonte Farms world champion Frankel and his third in Australia after Hungry Heart and Mirage Dancer (GB).

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Race Result - Treasury Brisbane J.J. Atkins Gr1 1600m

Eagle Farm Track: Good(4) Time: 1:35.86
1
Converge
- 2g Frankel (GB) x Conversely (IRE) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 57
2
3.3
Giannis
- 2c Flying Artie (AUS) x Palace Rock (NZ) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: K Mc Evoy 57
Flying Artie
3
3.4
Tiger Of Malay
- 2c Extreme Choice (AUS) x Sambar (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: R & M Freedman Rdr: Craig Williams 57
4
3.5
Invinsible Tears
- 2f Maurice (JPN) x Networking (GER) (Invincible Spirit (IRE))
Tnr: Ms G Heinrich Rdr: M Cahill 55
5
5.7
Subterranean
- 2c Rebel Dane (AUS) x Caves (AUS) (Bernardini (USA))
Tnr: M J Dunn Rdr: N Rawiller 57
6
7.7
Port Louis
- 2c Maurice (JPN) x Cat By The Tale (USA) (Tale Of The Cat (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: J Bowman 57
7
7.8
Blushing Tycoon
- 2c Written Tycoon (AUS) x Crimson Kiss (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: Jye McNeil 57
8
8.1
Dark Rebel
- 2c Astern (AUS) x She Must Be Obeyed (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: Edward Cummings Rdr: Ben Thompson 57
9
10.1
Three Wise Men
- 2g Divine Prophet (AUS) x Moonlight Music (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Edward Cummings Rdr: J Byrne 57
10
10.3
Volcanic Rock
- 2g Hinchinbrook (AUS) x Heat Of The Fire (AUS) (Strategic (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: O P Bosson 57
11
11.0
Ranch Hand
- 2c Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Mezulla (NZ) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57
12
11.1
Cape Breton
- 2c Vancouver (AUS) x Exclusive Lass (AUS) (Nicconi (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: G Boss 57
13
13.4
Overmann
- 2g Hinchinbrook (AUS) x Zakayla (GB) (Aqlaam (GB))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Tommy Berry 57
14
16.1
Overpass
- 2c Vancouver (AUS) x Walkway (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: J Parr 57
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