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Jonker Prevails in Manikato Stakes

The 6-year-old became the first group 1 winner for his sire, Spirit Of Boom.

Jonker (inside) wins the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley Racecourse

Jonker (inside) wins the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley Racecourse

Pat Scala/Racing Photos

Spirit Of Boom enjoyed his greatest moment since joining the stallion ranks when Jonker—who is from the sire's first crop—became the stallion's first group 1 winner courtesy of his victory in the Oct. 22 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes (G1) at Moonee Valley Racecourse.

After breaking smartly from the barriers, the Tony Gollan-trained entire was urged straight into the lead by Daniel Moor and set decent fractions at the head of affairs.

As the field straightened, Jonker had already built up a healthy lead, but Bella Nipotina was flying down the track, closing the margin with every stride. However, Jonker kept galloping strongly to repel Bella Nipotina's advances by a nose with Ingratiating another two and a quarter lengths back in third.

Harry McAlpine—whose family own and run the Eureka Sud where Spirit Of Boom resides—said the horse not only looks like his father, but has also nearly had exactly the same career, including their group 1 victory, with Spirit Of Boom chalking up his maiden elite-level win when he landed the 2014 edition of the William Reid Stakes (G1) over the same course and distance.

"It's great to see both horse and sire get their group 1 monkeys off their backs," McAlpine told ANZ Bloodstock News. "He's so like Spirit Of Boom—it's uncanny. They both won leading into the Magic Millions 2YO Classic race, they both started second-favorite in the actual race itself, and they both got bashed from pillar to post. It took them both a long time to get the race confidence back and then they both went on to win their first group 1 at Moonee Valley over 1,200 meters."

In winning the group 1 contest, Jonker was adding a fifth win in 28 starts to his record, but he has run consistently well at group level throughout his career, headlined by second-place finishes in last season's Tab Kingsford-Smith Cup (G1), while he was also narrowly denied a win in the Tab George Moore Stakes (G3) last December.

Prior to the Manikato, the 6-year-old was last seen running sixth in the Oct. 2 Acy Securities Premiere Stakes (G2).

McAlpine said the entire deserved to win a group 1.  

"He just had no luck on his last start in Sydney and I think this race was custom made for him," said McAlpine. "The Spirit Of Boom's go really well in the short-courses with the quick turns, so Moonee Valley looked ideal for him.

"He had not raced there before, but the tempo was perfect for him as well, so everything just lined up perfectly and it was great to see him get the job done."

Gollan, watching from his Queensland base, said he was proud Jonker was able to show his exceptional talents at the top level.

"It's been a luckless spring for one reason or another," the trainer said. "Tonight we were able to see the real horse.

"He wasn't great away, did a mountain of work, and was still there fighting at the finish. The others all had their chances."

Gollan was unwilling to make race-day plans as to where the 6-year-old may head for his next start: "I will talk to the Snowdens as they have been integral in his preparation over the past seven weeks

"We were looking at Perth but that is very tricky now with the COVID situation—but we will see as there's other options."

Those options could include a feature on The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday in January or he may even be given the chance to emulate his sire in the William Reid Stakes (G1) at Moonee Valley later on in the year.

"I said to Tony Gollan this morning that (Jonker) gave me a similar feel to what Wild Ruler gave me (leading into a recent group 1 win)," said Moor. "He's a lovely gentleman of a horse and I'm so pleased to have got the job done.

"He's an older horse who likes a challenge. He's been a little doughy out, but we wanted him out in front in his own leisure. He loves a challenge and (was) rolling on his own accord."

Bred by Wicklow Lodge, Jonker was purchased by Doug Crich for AU$45,000 (US$33,755) at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the Fig Tree Thoroughbreds draft.

Jonker is one of three winners out of the dual-winning Kempinsky mare Hearts And Arrows, who is herself a half sister to three-time group 3 scorer Fiscal Fantasy and fellow group 3 scorer Fair Trade.

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