Cool Archie now on winter carnival Group 1 path after Dalrello Stakes win 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.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
7 hours ago
- Perth Now
Proteas spinner's brilliance triggers Aussie collapse
A career-best haul from veteran spinner Keshav Maharaj has inspired South Africa to a crushing 98-run win over Australia in the first ODI in Cairns. With Australia cruising at 0-60 chasing the Proteas' 8-296, Maharaj wreaked havoc during a stunning spell as the hosts lost 6-29 in 55 balls at Cazaly's Stadium. The 35-year-old bowled his 10 overs unchanged - at one stage having 5-9 - to finish with 5-33. It was the first five-wicket haul of his ODI career and was aptly named player of the match. Maharaj's efforts were the fourth-best ODI numbers by a South African bowler in Australia. Debutant Prenelan Subrayen, a right-arm offspinner, started Australia's collapse by getting the dangerous Travis Head stumped for 27. Captain Mitch Marsh played a lone hand from the top as none of Australia's middle-order reached double figures. While Marsh remained at the crease, Australia had an outside chance of pulling off a remarkable win. CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 19: Marnus Labuschange of Australia is dismissed during the Australia v South Africa - ODI Series: Game 1 at Cazaly's Stadium on August 19, 2025 in Cairns, Australia. (Photo by) Credit: Emily Barker / Getty Images But when Marsh fell for 88 to Nandre Burger (2-54), it was only a matter of time before the Proteas secured victory and bowled Australia out for 198 in the 41st over. Spin, unexpectedly, dominated in Cairns, after Travis Head's part-timers also proved hard to handle. Australia's aggressive opening batter took 4-57, claiming opener Ryan Rickelton (33), as well as Tristan Stubbs (0) and rising star Dewald Brevis (6) within three balls. The Proteas need no reminder of Head's bowling capabilities after he took two crucial wickets in Australia's thrilling World Cup semi-final win in 2023. Rickelton made a productive start with World Test Championship final hero Aiden Markram, the pair putting on 92 for the opening wicket. Markram (82) played flawlessly for his first 80 balls, but fell to a stock-standard delivery from Ben Dwarshuis (2-53) when seemingly headed for a fourth ODI century. CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 19: Keshav Maharaj of South Africa reacts with team mates during the Australia v South Africa - ODI Series: Game 1 at Cazaly's Stadium on August 19, 2025 in Cairns, Australia. (Photo by) Credit: Emily Barker / Getty Images WTC-winning captain Temba Bavuma returned for his first match since the historic final at Lord's two months ago, crafting a patient 65 before being bowled by Dwarshuis when trying to lift the run-rate with four overs left. Allrounder Wiaan Mulder, fresh off his extraordinary 367 not out in a Test against Zimbabwe last month, delivered in the final overs with a blazing unbeaten 31. Earlier, South Africa suffered a major blow, losing spearhead Kagiso Rabada for the three-match series. The 30-year-old will miss the 50-over games in north Queensland due to an ankle injury. Australia fielded first after captain Mitch Marsh won the toss and elected to send the Proteas in to bat. When captaining Australia, Marsh has won the toss 21 times and chosen to field every time. Australia opted to play Alex Carey as a specialist batter, electing to use Josh Inglis as the wicketkeeper instead of their Test gloveman. But Carey and Inglis both fell to Maharaj, playing poor shots to get out. The second ODI will take place in Mackay on Friday.
The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Head's part-time spin again troubles South Africa
Travis Head has proved his World Cup semi-final cameo was no fluke, again causing South Africa's batters problems with his off-spin. Australia's aggressive opening batter was the pick of the bowlers with 4-57 as South Africa made a competitive 8-296 in the first ODI in Cairns. Head grabbed opener Ryan Rickelton (33), as well as Tristan Stubbs (0) and rising star Dewald Brevis (6) within three balls. The Proteas need no reminder of Head's part-time capabilities after he took two crucial wickets in Australia's road to the World Cup title in 2023. Rickelton made a productive start with World Test Championship final hero Aiden Markram, the pair putting on 92 for the opening wicket. Markram (82) played flawlessly for his first 80 balls, but fell to a stock-standard delivery from Ben Dwarshuis (2-53) when seemingly headed for a fourth ODI century. WTC-winning captain Temba Bavuma returned for his first match since the historic final at Lord's two months ago, crafting a patient 65 before being bowled by Dwarshuis when trying to lift the run-rate with four overs left. Allrounder Wiaan Mulder, fresh off his extraordinary 367 not out in a Test against Zimbabwe last month, delivered in the final overs with a blazing unbeaten 31. Earlier, South Africa suffered a major blow, losing spearhead Kagiso Rabada for the three-match series. The 30-year-old will miss the 50-over games in northern Queensland due to an ankle injury. Australia fielded first after captain Mitch Marsh won the toss and elected to send the Proteas in to bat. When captaining Australia, Marsh has won the toss 21 times and chosen to field every time. It is South Africa's first ODI against Australia since they suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the 2023 World Cup semi-final. Australia opted to play Alex Carey as a specialist batter, electing to use Josh Inglis as the wicketkeeper instead of their Test gloveman. Josh Hazlewood is playing, but his fellow Test quicks Pat Cummins and Mitch Starc are resting ahead of the Ashes summer. Travis Head has proved his World Cup semi-final cameo was no fluke, again causing South Africa's batters problems with his off-spin. Australia's aggressive opening batter was the pick of the bowlers with 4-57 as South Africa made a competitive 8-296 in the first ODI in Cairns. Head grabbed opener Ryan Rickelton (33), as well as Tristan Stubbs (0) and rising star Dewald Brevis (6) within three balls. The Proteas need no reminder of Head's part-time capabilities after he took two crucial wickets in Australia's road to the World Cup title in 2023. Rickelton made a productive start with World Test Championship final hero Aiden Markram, the pair putting on 92 for the opening wicket. Markram (82) played flawlessly for his first 80 balls, but fell to a stock-standard delivery from Ben Dwarshuis (2-53) when seemingly headed for a fourth ODI century. WTC-winning captain Temba Bavuma returned for his first match since the historic final at Lord's two months ago, crafting a patient 65 before being bowled by Dwarshuis when trying to lift the run-rate with four overs left. Allrounder Wiaan Mulder, fresh off his extraordinary 367 not out in a Test against Zimbabwe last month, delivered in the final overs with a blazing unbeaten 31. Earlier, South Africa suffered a major blow, losing spearhead Kagiso Rabada for the three-match series. The 30-year-old will miss the 50-over games in northern Queensland due to an ankle injury. Australia fielded first after captain Mitch Marsh won the toss and elected to send the Proteas in to bat. When captaining Australia, Marsh has won the toss 21 times and chosen to field every time. It is South Africa's first ODI against Australia since they suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the 2023 World Cup semi-final. Australia opted to play Alex Carey as a specialist batter, electing to use Josh Inglis as the wicketkeeper instead of their Test gloveman. Josh Hazlewood is playing, but his fellow Test quicks Pat Cummins and Mitch Starc are resting ahead of the Ashes summer. Travis Head has proved his World Cup semi-final cameo was no fluke, again causing South Africa's batters problems with his off-spin. Australia's aggressive opening batter was the pick of the bowlers with 4-57 as South Africa made a competitive 8-296 in the first ODI in Cairns. Head grabbed opener Ryan Rickelton (33), as well as Tristan Stubbs (0) and rising star Dewald Brevis (6) within three balls. The Proteas need no reminder of Head's part-time capabilities after he took two crucial wickets in Australia's road to the World Cup title in 2023. Rickelton made a productive start with World Test Championship final hero Aiden Markram, the pair putting on 92 for the opening wicket. Markram (82) played flawlessly for his first 80 balls, but fell to a stock-standard delivery from Ben Dwarshuis (2-53) when seemingly headed for a fourth ODI century. WTC-winning captain Temba Bavuma returned for his first match since the historic final at Lord's two months ago, crafting a patient 65 before being bowled by Dwarshuis when trying to lift the run-rate with four overs left. Allrounder Wiaan Mulder, fresh off his extraordinary 367 not out in a Test against Zimbabwe last month, delivered in the final overs with a blazing unbeaten 31. Earlier, South Africa suffered a major blow, losing spearhead Kagiso Rabada for the three-match series. The 30-year-old will miss the 50-over games in northern Queensland due to an ankle injury. Australia fielded first after captain Mitch Marsh won the toss and elected to send the Proteas in to bat. When captaining Australia, Marsh has won the toss 21 times and chosen to field every time. It is South Africa's first ODI against Australia since they suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the 2023 World Cup semi-final. Australia opted to play Alex Carey as a specialist batter, electing to use Josh Inglis as the wicketkeeper instead of their Test gloveman. Josh Hazlewood is playing, but his fellow Test quicks Pat Cummins and Mitch Starc are resting ahead of the Ashes summer.
West Australian
14 hours ago
- West Australian
Proteas star out of ODI series, Aussies choose to field
South Africa have suffered a major blow ahead of their three-match ODI series against Australia, losing spearhead Kagiso Rabada. The 30-year-old, who starred in the Proteas' stunning World Test Championship (WTC) final upset of Australia in June, will miss the 50-over games in northern Queensland due to an ankle injury. Australia will field first in the series-opener in Cairns after captain Mitch Marsh won the toss and elected to send the Proteas in to bat. When captaining Australia, Marsh has won the toss 21 times and chosen to field every time. It is South Africa's first ODI against Australia since they suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the 2023 World Cup semi-final. Australia have opted to play Alex Carey as a specialist batter, electing to use Josh Inglis as the wicketkeeper instead of their Test gloveman. Josh Hazlewood is playing, but his fellow Test quicks Pat Cummins and Mitch Starc are resting ahead of the Ashes summer. WTC-winning captain Temba Bavuma returns for his first match since the historic final at Lord's two months ago. AUSTRALIA: Mitchell Marsh (capt), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, Aaron Hardie, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood. SOUTH AFRICA: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Temba Bavuma (capt), Matthew Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Prenelan Subrayen, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi.
