Jonker stakes his claim for Classic
NEWCASTLE colt Jonker has rocketed into contention for the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic with an impressive debut win.
Sent out the $1.45 favourite in the Max Lees Classic (900m) on his home track yesterday, the David Atkin strained colt led all the way to win by three lengths.
One punter placed a $5000 bet before the race, forcing Jonker’s price for the Gold Coast event on January 13 in from $26 to $15.
The Spirit Of Boom colt firmed further into $11 equal second favouritism after his debut. Before yesterday, Jonker had won a 900m barrier trial by 9¼ lengths.
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Bondi is the $8 Magic Millions 2YO Classic favourite with Lindsay Park filly Qafila the other $11 chance.
Jonker ran 51.27 seconds for the 900m with his final 600 covered in 32.85.
“He’s run time and did a bit of work. The way he raced 1200 metres looks ideal for him,” Atkins told Sky Thoroughbred Central.
“He’s got a good turn of foot and he’ll go to the Magic Millions if he’s good enough.”
Adelaide trainer Lloyd Kennewell, fresh from his first Group 1 win with Viddora in Perth on Saturday, also has his sights on Magic Millions riches.
Viddora gave the trainer his first elite victory in the $1 million Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot and will now head to the Magic Millions meeting in January.
She will run in either the Magic Millions Sprint (1200m), in which she was second to Target In Sight earlier this year, or the Fillies and Mares (1300m) with both races worth $1 million.
But a tilt at an even bigger prize awaits stablemate La Pomme De Pin, a dominant winner of the Magic Millions Clockwise Classic at Ballarat last month.
The $200,000 Wyong Magic Millions Classic (1100m) on December 21 is next on the agenda ahead of a planned tilt at the $2 million Magic Millions Classic (1200m) on January 13.
Kennewell said Viddora would have a few days off in Adelaide before returning to the Gold Coast for the Millions race day.