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| Staff Writer |
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Jonker claimed the A$1 million Manikato Stakes under Daniel Moor who landed his third Group One win in the space of a month.
The Queensland visitor went straight to the front from barrier four, although he had to endure considerable pressure to cross Lombardo and Crystal Bound in the first 200m of the race.
Bella Nipotina loomed as the only challenge when Jonker put two lengths on the chasing pack inside the final 200m, but she could only get within ahead of the winner at the post as Tony Gollan's entire held tough for a breakthrough success at the elite level.
The win was a maiden at Group One level for Jonker, who was placed in both The Galaxy and the Kingsford-Smith Cup earlier this year, with his earnings soaring beyond A$2 million.
The result also gave Gollan's former star sprinter-turned stallion Spirit of Boom a breakthrough Group One win as a sire.
While he had to settle for second, Ciaron Maher was full of praise for Bella Nipotina.
He said she was unlikely to head to the Gr.1 VRC Sprint Classic next month and could instead be set for races like the Oakleigh Plate and The Galaxy next year.