Jonker has stamped himself as the horse to beat on the Gold Coast in early January following a dominant win in this afternoon’s Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m).
The exciting son of Spirit Of Boom opened at Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Guineas odds of $25, but firmed into $15 after a dominant three-length win over 900m at Newcastle on December 3rd. He is now the $4 favourite following today’s outstanding performance.
Jockey Andrew Bullock found an ideal position on the heels of early race leader La Pomme De Pin ay Wyong this afternoon, who flew the barriers and set a break-neck tempo for the small field of juveniles from the outset.
The horse took himself into the race as the field began to straighten and immediately responded when he was asked for an extra effort with 250m to travel; easily pulling clear of his rivals and savaging the line for a four-length win.
Bullock, who has ridden Jonker in each of his two competitive starts to date delivered a gem of a ride aboard the horse, but was quick to lay all the praise on the quality of the talented colt.
“I was actually hoping to take a sit this afternoon because I watched all the races leading up to this one and for some reason, they haven’t be racing on the inside of the track. Nothing was winning there,” Bullock said after the race.
“It played perfectly and I could have elected to go to the inside in the 400m, but I stayed out because of how the track was playing and he really let down – I was surprised by the margin!
“I knew from the time I first rode him, then trialled him and won on him that he just had that much improvement in him and he’s still improving.
“He’s just a horse that travels really well and I knew when we got here today that the track was going to suit him. Coming here, it’s hard to travel round, balance up and let down for the 250m of the straight, but he’s a horse who was never really off the bit and was ready to let down.”
Trainer David Atkins was thrilled with Jonker’s performance and confirmed that he will not have another start before taking his position in the Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Guineas field on January 13th.
“His second jump out was very sharp and I thought we might have something here, then his trial was super and he’s just gotten better and better – he can probably even improve some more,” Atkins said.
“The leader was just free running and they weren’t trying to hold it back to much, but he (Bullock) had a firm hold on him and then Gai’s came up three-wide and was travelling well, but coming to the corner we were travelling better. He was always going to be hard to beat from there.
“That will do now, it will be perfect for him.”
Fellow Spirit Of Boom progeny Ef Troop has dropped onto the second line of Magic Millions 2YO Classic betting at current $4.80 odds.