The Mackies, who operate Matamata’s youngest stud, Java Lodge, were tea-totallers for a day after enjoying themselves into the small hours at the previous evening’s Waikato Group One Dinner.

"Don’t get me wrong, we were whooping it up during and after the race," says Jo, "but if we had popped any corks we wouldn't have felt like drinking the contents."

Victory was far from straight-forward for Bunker in the listed two-year-old event. He had to survive an inquiry after making contact while challenging the pacemaking favourite Sun Hawke (NZ) (Desert Sun). He then put a break on the field to comfortably beat the fast-finishing King George (NZ) (Shinko King) and Calm Quest (NZ) ( Masterclass).

Bunker took his record to two wins and a second from three starts after an earlier debut win on the Otaki track and a second placing to Sun Hawke in the listed Castletown Stakes at Foxton.

Co-trainer and part-owner Trevor McKee will now aim him at the early three-year-old races, beginning with next month’s Wanganui Guineas.

McKee paid $30,000 for Bunker at last year’s National Yearling Sales, attracted to him largely through his dam Perfect being a half-sister to two earlier good performers from his stable, the Gr.2 winners Red Baron and Petanque. Both contested the Ryder Stakes for a win (Red Baron) and a second.

Bunker is Sandtrap’s first winner from a handful of first crop runners this season. His placegetters include Miss Higgins, Fore, Sandblast and Irish Jester.

Sandtrap, a son of Irish River who won three Gr.3 sprints in North America, stood initially at Millfield Stud, operated by Jo Mackie’s uncle Peter Setchell, but relocated to Java Lodge when it was established just over a year ago.

Bunker was bred by Australian resident Gunter Lau, a client for more than a decade of Courtney and Mandy Howells’ Ainsley Downs Stud.

Their partnership has also been responsible for horses like last year’s listed BTC Rough Habit Plate winner Kincourt (NZ) (Kinjite).