Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
In yet another brilliant Group 1 ride from Daniel Moor, Jonker sat on the speed and gave a strong kick for home, before just holding off the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) over the final stages, with Godolphin colt Ingratiating (Frosted {USA}) running a big race in third.
Jonker and Daniel Moor on there way to winning the G1 Manikato S. | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
It was a sixth Group 1 success for Gollan, who has guided Jonker since taking over the training of the now 6-year-old from David Atkins around 12 months ago at which point he had a sole stakes win to his name.
Since that point, Jonker has won a second stakes race as well as a Magic Millions Sprint and placed twice in Group 1 races in the autumn before finally breaking through on Friday night.
"It's been a luckless spring for one reason or another," Gollan 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."
The Eagle Farm-based Gollan was unable to be in Victoria and left final preparations for the Group 1 assignment to the expert eye of Peter Snowden and his foreman Andrew Angelone.
Tony Gollan | Image courtesy of Sportpix
"He galloped quite well last Saturday and he just looked fantastic. I wasn't surprised that he ran so well and obviously he has won, so it was great," Angelone said.
"He is probably one of the most laid-back colts I've ever seen. He's just so relaxed. He's just such a lovely thing to deal with. Obviously Tony has done a great job with him and all his staff and we are lucky to be here on the night and it’s unfortunate he can't be here.
"He is probably one of the most laid-back colts I've ever seen. He's just so relaxed. He's just such a lovely thing to deal with." - Andrew Angelone
"He got the Group 1 win tonight and they will be all celebrating tonight, no doubt."
Jonker's ownership group is headed Spirit Racing and the $45,000 buy from the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale has been a terrific money spinner, earning over $2 million. Friday's win will also give him the opportunity to follow in the steps of his own sire, Spirit Of Boom, who headed to stud after a distinguished racing career for Gollan.
From his Eureka Stud base, Spirit Of Boom has produced 14 stakes winners and now, importantly a Group 1 winner. The stallion son of Sequalo has built himself up from an initial fee of $11,000 (inc GST) to now stand at $33,000 (inc GST). He has proven a game-changer not only for the McAlpine family but also the Queensland breeding industry.
Hoof to the floor
After Jonker dwelt ever so slightly at the start, the experienced Moor didn't hesitate pushing through to lead the field, and he was never headed from that point. Having been nursed through the middle of the race, Jonker saw off the challenge of Lombardo (I Am Invincible), who sat outside of him and the only threat came from Bella Nipotina, who had tracked him through on the rail.
The 4-year-old mare dived late and cut the margin to just 0.1l on the line in a heroic run, while the James Cummings-trained colt Ingratiating measured up well to the open Group 1 class with a strong third. Grand campaigner Streets Of Avalon (Magnus) was finishing hard for fourth.
Daniel Moor with the Manikato S. trophy | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Moor's remarkable spring continued, adding his third Group 1 win, having broken the drought with Sierra Sue (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) in the Sir Rupert Clarke S. last month and then having backed that up with victory on Wild Ruler (Snitzel) in the G1 Moir S. at the same venue as Friday's success.
"I said to Tony Gollan this morning that this horse gave me a very similar feel to Wild Ruler in terms of his trackwork last week. He's just a lovely gentleman of a horse. He has had no luck all prep and I'm just really pleased to get the job done again," he said.
"He's (Jonker) just a lovely gentleman of a horse. He has had no luck all prep and I'm just really pleased to get the job done again." - Daniel Moor
"He's an older horse that likes a challenge and he has been a bit slow out. We wanted to have him in front. He likes rolling on at his own accord.
"Obviously being a Group 1 race there was a bit of speed there. Lombardo kicked up on my inside, but I knew I had the horse to absorb the pressure early. Down the side we backed it off and he had a enough kick in the locker in the end."
Drought turns to flood
Having gone 18 and a half years as a jockey without a Group 1 winner, Moor now has had three in a truly amazing four weeks.
"It's a really good feeling. I'm glad I'm doing it later in in life because it’s a really satisfying feeling, I'm not going to go out and get on the gas and yahoo, I get to go home and enjoy it with my family and it's business as usual," he said.
"I'm glad I'm doing it later in in life because it’s a really satisfying feeling, I'm not going to go out and get on the gas and yahoo, I get to go home and enjoy it with my family." - Daniel Moor
"It's a great time, and I'm going to remember it for a long time."
Bred by Wicklow Lodge, Jonker is out of Kempinsky mare, Heart And Arrows, who has produced three winners and is a half-sister to stakes winners Fiscal Fantasy (Skilled) and Fair Trade (Danewin).
Jonker as a yearling
It was a case of so near, yet so far for Bella Nipotina, who ran a terrific race and went within a slender margin of adding massively to her already significant residual value.
"I was getting pretty excited at the top of the straight, I thought he (John Allen) gave her a beautiful run and she has that very sharp turn of foot," her co-trainer Maher said.
"You have to give credit to the winner. I don't like getting beaten by anybody, but I don’t mind having a beer with Tony when I get up there to the Brisbane carnival.
"Bella Nipotina adds to her breeding page and her owners will be tickled pink, but she was a bit stiff. Another couple of strides, she would have made it very interesting."