Torque To Be Sure is no longer a maiden after surviving a tense protest to claim the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas on the Gold Coast.

The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding delivered under pressure, but the manner of victory ensured celebrations were briefly put on hold.

Favourite Ninja ($1.55) charged late after covering ground from barrier 17, forcing jockey Tommy Berry to angle into the centre of the track.

Ben Melham had clear running aboard Torque To Be Sure ($13), but with 150 metres remaining the eventual winner shifted out sharply.

The move forced Ninja off his line, with visible contact causing Berry to stop riding momentarily.

Stewards ruled Ninja was inconvenienced by around half a length, but deemed the final three-quarter length margin sufficient to dismiss the protest.

The win was the three-year-old’s first from 11 starts, after five previous placings, and lifted his prizemoney to $1.9 million.

“I think we had a fair margin,” Dunn said.

“He’s not an easy horse to ride,” Melham said.

“He went off the track a little but but he was pretty good today. I ended up in a sweet spot and on the back-up really helped me over 1400-metres.

“He was pretty dominant. Not a bad effort for a maidener. The ability was never the issue, but it is good to see him break through in this race today.”

Torque To Be Sure was a $260,000 purchase at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.