Jonker (Aus) became the third pre-Christmas stakes winner for leading first-crop sire Spirit Of Boom (Aus) when running out a 4 1/2-length winner of Thursday's Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic, a key prep for the Jan. 13 Magic Millions 2YO Classic on the Gold Coast. The $4.00 second choice, Jonker–a similarly impressive three-length winner at first asking at Newcastle on Dec. 3 for trainer David Atkins and jockey Aaron Bullock–raced second about three lengths off the runaway leader La Pomme de Pin (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) through the opening stages of this 1100 metre contest. Making up ground on the pacesetter as Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott's highly regarded firster Terminology (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}) loomed up on his outside, Jonker grabbed the lead at the top of the stretch and drew off while racing a touch greenly under Bullock to win with style from Skyray (Aus) (Smart Missile {Aus}). Terminology, the $3.60 favourite off a 10-length trial win, drifted slightly off the turn and was not given a hard time by Tim Clark to check in fourth. China Horse Club's highly regarded Bondi (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) was similarly flat in the lane and checked in third.
“That will be perfect for him,” Atkins told Sky Thoroughbred Central with regards to his preparation for the Gold Coast. “I always liked him but his second jump out was very sharp and I thought he might be something handy. Then he trialled super and has just got better and better ever since.”
Country jockey Bullock, who was riding his first city winner, added, “I've never ridden a city winner but it's a good way to kick off and ride one that's for sure. He's a horse that was never really off the bit until I asked him to let down which is a big attribute around here. I wasn't sure if I'd keep the ride today to tell you the truth so if I can keep the ride up there it would be a great thrill.”
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