Jonker chases Group One glory

 
AS the Stradbroke season spring carnival winners continue to roll on, local hero Jonker gets his chance to add to the tally as he chases a maiden Group 1 in the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley tonight.

Jonker proved himself up to Group 1 standard when third in the Galaxy in Sydney in March and then when a close second to stablemate Vega One in the Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm in May.

That followed a course record breaking win at Doomben and a Magic Millions Sprint success last summer.

This time in, Jonker has had just two starts – he seemingly got lost up the straight at Flemington first up, then had little luck behind Everest runner-up Masked Crusader second up.

Trainer Tony Gollan has targeted a Group 1 win for the Spirit Of Boom stallion this spring in a bid to boost his stud credentials.

Gollan always felt the Manikato would be the right option, given where it falls on the calendar.

Jonker had a look at the Moonee Valley layout last Saturday and Gollan said he was pleased with the reports he had received about the gallop.

TAB has Jonker at $8 for the Manikato, with Savatoxl, who also competed in Queensland during Stradbroke season, the $4.60 favourite.

Up in Sydney, Rob Heathcote has two hopes as the spring carnival continues at Randwick.

Group 1 placed filly Startantes runs in the new $2M Invitational, where TAB has her marked at $8.50.

Earlier, Emerald Kingdom runs in the Filante Handicap, where he is the equal $3.30 favourite.

After Incentivise won the Caulfield Cup last week, Zaaki is now the hope of the Stradbroke Season side as he chases the Cox Plate. He is trying to become the first Doomben Cup winner since Might And Power to land the Cox Plate in the same year.

You can catch all the excitement of a big raceday at Doomben on Saturday, where there are 10 very good local races, while catching all the interstate action on the dozens of big screen TVs dotted around the course.

We look forward to seeing you all at Doomben on Saturday!

 

Photo provided by Grant Peters, Trackside Photography