Tangled sets course for Group One Atkins

Improving colt Tangled, named after a popular Disney animated movie, rocketed into J Atkins contention after his barnstorming victory in the Group Two Champagne Classic at Doomben on Saturday.

Fresh from a trip to America where he spent time with Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, trainer Chris Waller declared Tangled an ideal type for the Group One JJ Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 10.

“He’s a really nice colt and the good thing is we know he’s going to be even better over further,” Waller said.

“His dam won the New Zealand Oaks so he’ll certainly enjoy stepping up to the longer distances at Eagle Farm.”

Before the Atkins, Waller will start Tangled in the Group Two BRC Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm on May 27.

“Today was a good first step for him and he showed his class to win at 1200 metres which was a good sign because if you watch the replay he hardly touched the bridle at any stage of the race,” Waller said.

“The Sires over 1400 metres next start will be a good stepping stone to the J Atkins.”

Tangled gave Waller his third win in the Champagne after Pressday (2010) and Brazen Beau (2014).

Pressday went on to win the Atkins while Brazen Beau was runner-up to Almalad.

Winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy, like Waller, believes Tangled will be much better suited in the Sires and Atkins.

McEvoy settled Tangled ($8.50) in seventh spot before producing a well-timed finish to defeat All Too Huiying ($10) by half a length with Italia Bella ($26) 1-1/4 lengths away third.

Trainer Gary Moore was pleased with the effort of All Too Huiying.

“If we didn’t get baulked mid stretch we would’ve given the winner a real run for his money,” Moore said.

“The 1200 metres today gives him a nice foundation for his next assignment at Eagle Farm.”