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Newcastle trainer David Atkins will work towards a first-up tilt at the San Domenico Stakes with classy young sprinter Jonker following his comeback trial win at Gosford on Monday.

Monday’s trial was the first time Jonker had been seen in public since he was injured when a victim of severe interference in the $2 million Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast in January.

Jonker required a three months spell after suffering numerous superficial injuries when badly checked in the first 400m of the MM Classic. He was set to hold a box seat position when he was badly squeezed for room and cannoned into the running rail, losing several lengths.

Jonker finished a distressed last while jockey Matt McGillivray, the rider of Ef Troop, was suspended for one month for causing the interference as he crossed from a wide barrier.

The Spirit Of Boom colt was unbeaten in his two starts before the MM Classic, having won his debut at Newcastle before running away with the Wyong Magic Millions in December.

Atkins was delighted to see Jonker win Monday’s 800m trial, beating the quality pair Graff and Chabreet.

Jonker sat outside the leader Chabreet and responded when placed under pressure by his rider Daryl McLellan to claim a nose win over the unbeaten Graff in 48.18 seconds, the fastest time of the 800m heats.

It was the first time McLellan, a former leading Newcastle-based jockey, had ridden in NSW since 2011. McLellan had retired before making a return to race riding in Queensland last season.

McLellan has been riding Jonker in his trackwork at Broadmeadow and will be looking forward to riding the colt if he resumes as planned in the G3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on August 25.

“There was plenty of horse left,” McLellan said after Monday’s trial win.

“If I had have given him a crack with the whip he would have really accelerated. He is an absolute little professional.

“Everything is pointing towards a good preparation for him.”