Flying Jonker throws out challenge to favourite Bondi as Magic Millions race hots up
THE challengers to Magic Millions 2YO Classic favourite Bondi are starting to emerge, with Jonker making a stunning debut at Newcastle.
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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 Atkins-trained 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, who ran second in the Breeders Plate at Randwick on debut in late September, is the Magic Millions 2YO Classic favourite at $8.
Lindsay Park-trained filly Qafila is the other $11 chance.
Jonker ran 51.27 seconds for the 900m yesterday, 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.
Fresh from his first Group One win, Adelaide trainer Lloyd Kennewell has his sights on more riches at the Gold Coast.
Viddora gave the trainer his first elite victory in Saturday’s $1 million Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot in Perth and will now head to the Magic Millions meeting in January.
She will run in either the Sprint (1200m), in which she was second 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 filly made a one-act affair of the $200,000 race, leading all the way over the 1000m to win by 5½ lengths.
Another Magic Millions race in NSW is next on her agenda ahead of a planned tilt at the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) on the Gold Coast on January 13.
Kennewell gave the filly a few easy days after the Ballarat win.
“She had three or four days of R and R at the farm and I’m really happy with how she has come through that,” Kennewell said.
“She’ll head to Wyong for her next run.
“In the next seven to 10 days she’ll have a nice hit-out and hopefully she’s all systems go to get to Wyong and then she’ll head to the Gold Coast from there.”
The $200,000 Wyong Magic Millions Classic (1100m) is on December 21 and Kennewell believes the race will suit the speedy filly.
“Everything seems to be going really well for her so we’ve just got to hope that she can keep ticking the boxes along the way,” he said.
“And if she shows signs she’s had enough she’ll head to the farm for a spell instead of going everywhere she’s got to go.”
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