Cool Archie now on winter carnival Group 1 path after Dalrello Stakes win at Eagle Farm
Legendary former jockey Chris Munce is hoping he has a Group 1 contender on his hands after young colt Cool Archie produced a tough win in the Dalrello Stakes at Eagle Farm.
Munce did it all in the saddle as a Grand Slam-winning jockey and is no stranger to Group 1 winter carnival success in recent times, having become a Group 1-winning trainer when scoring the 2023 Tatt's Tiara with Palaisipan.
In training partnership with son Corey, Munce looks to have a promising winter carnival prospects with two-year-old Cool Archie who became a stakes winner at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Cool Archie made it two straight since returning from a summer carnival campaign which culminated in him finishing midfield in the Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January.
Cool Archie started the $4.40 second pick in the Dalrello, the 1000m scamper where Matt Dunn's resuming colt Torque To Be Sure was backed for a stack, officially from $3.10 into $2.90 but there had been $6 available earlier in the week.
😎 A tough win to Cool Archie in the Listed Dalrello Stakes at Eagle Farm! @munceracing | @BrisRacingClub pic.twitter.com/cWLFh7QvKd
â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 3, 2025
The two top picks settled down to fight out the Dalrello and at one point Torque To Be Sure appeared to have the race at his mercy as he cruised up in the straight.
But Cool Archie would not be denied and fought out a gritty win under jockey Martin Harley.
It might have been a 1000m dash but Munce is hoping he can get Cool Archie to the riches of the Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) on Stradbroke Handicap day next month.
Cool Archie, who races in the colours of prominent owner Max Whitby, firmed from $51 to $26 in JJ Atkins betting after scoring the Dalrello.
'He's the quietest horse,' Munce said.
'You could put a child on him and he wouldn't turn a hair.
'I was a bit surprised to see him in the parade ring bouncing like he was.
'I'll tell you what, he's a tough little horse.
'He was always going to go on that Sires' and JJ (Atkins) path, so he'll go to the Spirit Of Boom Classic in two weeks' time.'
Harley said he didn't know what it would take to win the JJ Atkins but he had every faith in the colt.
'He pricked his ears and when Torque To Be Sure came alongside him, he got on with it,' Harley said.
'To be honest, every question you ask him he answers.
'I don't know what it takes to win a JJ but I'd be happy to stay on him for sure.'
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