David Atkins is under new illusions the path to the $2 million 2YO Magic Millions Classic just got tougher after his colt Jonker drew a wide barrier in Thursday’s Wyong race.
Jonker, currently second favourite for the January 13 Gold Coast race, has drawn barrier seven in the field of eight.
The race, to be run at 4.15pm, is one of the strongest in recent years with the Snowden trained Bondi from barrier five, now the likely favourite.
Atkins said the wide barrier wasn’t ideal but there was nothing he could do about it.
He said they would still be positive with the $45,000 Spirit Of Boom colt.
“I could ring up and ask them to swap but I don’t think that would work,” Atkins joked.
“He will definitely still be forward still but not necessarily in the lead.
“He might sit outside the leader or one out one back. It just depends on how much speed there is inside him.”
Atkins did sound a warning to his rivals believing Jonker had definitely improved on his three length debut win over the 900m at Newcastle on December 3.
“He’s done very well since his last run. We galloped him on Saturday and he was very impressive, probably the best he’s worked.
“He’s going better than before his Newcastle run and I’m very happy with him. He’s heading in the right direction.”
With $29,460 prizemoney to date Jonker will need to win or finish second at Wyong for Atkins to push forward to the Gold Coast.
He is currently 18 on the order of entry for the race.
“He’d have to run one two prize money wise to get into the main race. If he doesn’t I might look at getting him another run to get into the race but hopefully I won’t have to worry about that.”
Atkins has decided to stick with Newcastle-based jockey Aaron Bullock, who partnered Jonker in his maiden win.
South Australian filly La Pomme De Pin, coming off an impressive five and a half length win in the MM Clockwise Classic at Ballarat, also received no favours and has drawn the outside.
One of the more favoured runners, with a win and second to his name, the filly will be ridden by leading South Australian jockey Joe Bowditch, who along with trained Lloyd Kennewell, is making his first trip to Wyong.
The Waterhouse/Bott debutante Terminology has attracted plenty of attention following her 10 length win in a Randwick barrier trial on December 8.
A large crowd is expected trackside as the club’s Christmas At The Races meetings coming to an end, with around 1000 people booked in
SELECTIONS:
RACE 1: 1.15PM – MAINSTREAM TAXATION & ACCOUNTANCY MAIDEN HANDICAP (1350m): 1 AQUA D’IVINA, 2 Auerbach, 3 Devil’s Luck, 4 Voodoo.
RACE 2: 1.50PM – 856 BOBS ELIGIBLE YEARLINGS@GOLD COAST BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP (1600m): 1 THE IRON MAIDEN, 2 Mr Smart, 3 Billy Can, 4 Courtly.
RACE 3: 2.25PM – TWIN LAKES AIR CONDITIONER PTY LTD MAIDEN PLATE (1600m): 1 CONSIDER IT DONE; 2 Sun Valley, 3 Polar Star, Auchentoman.
RACE 4: 3.05PM – WYONG MAGIC MILLIONS 3YO & 4YO STAKES (1200m): 1 ARBEITSAM, 2 Single Bullet, 3 Redouble, 4 Senor Gaudi.
RACE 5: 3.40PM – DNR ELECTRICAL BENCHMARK 73 HANDICAP (1350m): 1 BARBEQUE, 2 Kopite, 3 He’s A Given, 4 Grammar School.
RACE 6: 4.15PM – WYONG MAGIC MILLIONS 2YO CLASSIC (1100m): 1 BONDI, 2 Charge, 3 Jonker, 4 Terminology.
RACE 7: 4.55PM – C.I.A CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1200m): 1 GORESBRIDGE, 2 Connoisseur, 3 Excelamour, 3 Koonunga.
