2023 PB Lawrence Stakes Results: Cox Plate Hope Mr Brightside Salutes First-Up
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A brilliant win in the Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic race on Thursday has seen the gun David Atkins-trained youngster Jonker shoot to the top of betting for the $2 million Gold Coast edition of the same series on January 13.
The Newcastle-based Atkins has had a huge wrap on the well-bred Spirit Of Boom colt since his very early jump-outs and Jonker is yet to disappoint after a dazzling performance second-up.
“I always liked him,” Atkins said post-win at Wyong.
“He’s just got better and better and can probably improve a bit more again.”
On debut at his home track on December 3 the two-year-old posted a nearly three length victory in the Max Lees Classic (900m), form he easily franked at Wyong today.
Jockey Aaron Bullock retained the ride on the $3.90 third favourite in the $200,000 Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1100m) and got his mount into a beautiful position second off the speed set by runaway filly La Pomme De Pin.
The Lloyd Kennewell-trained daughter of I Am Invincible won the Ballarat Magic Millions Classic by over five lengths last month and was taken straight to the lead at Wyong without restraint.
She flew around in front, while the unraced Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained filly Terminology blew the start for her highly-anticipated debut finding herself last for the punters early on.
Terminology was forced to do lots of work to come around her rivals, eventually getting into third behind La Pomme De Pin and Jonker, who Bullock was happy to take a sit on.
“He slipped out of the barriers…so I give him a dig,” Bullock explained after the race, his first metropolitan victory.
“I knew that the horse outside me was always going to have plenty of speed.
“I was happy to take a sit…it played perfectly.”
At the home turn, Jonker quickly joined the leader up on her outside and at the 250m drew clear taking off for a growing lead that turned into an all-too-easy four and a quarter length victory.
“I never rode a city winner before, it’s a good way to kick off,” Bullock said.
“I was surprised by the margin!
“He just had that much improvement in him and he’s still improving.”
Jonker beat home fast-finishing debutant Skyray from the Warwick Farm stables of Clarry Conners, while the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained Bondi rounded out the trifecta in third.
The ultra-impressive Wyong win now has Jonker as pre-field favourite for next month’s Restricted Listed $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) race at the Gold Coast Racecourse, which Bullock hopes to keep the ride for.
“It’d be great,” he said.
“To keep the ride up there would be a great thrill. It would be super.”
Jonker firmed in from around $9 to $3.60 and now sits top of the all-in Gold Coat Magic Millions 2YO Classic odds at Ladbrokes.com.au ahead of fellow Spirit Of Boom progeny Ef Troop ($4.60).
His dominant performance on the way to the Gold Coast saw him leave a very good field standing still and Atkins was thrilled both for Jonker and the horse’s connections.
“It’s great for the owners…well done,” he said.
“That’ll do him now. That will be perfect for him [ahead of the Gold Coast].
“1200m, that will be fine, it won’t worry him at all.
“He’s got a fair way to go but one thing I like about him, he’s got great manners, for a colt he’s perfect and he just keeps improving.”
To get behind Jonker next race in the Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic 2018 at the best summer racing odds online, head to Ladbrokes.com.au today.
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