Latest news with #ChrisMunce
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Cool Archie comes from nowhere to claim stunning victory in Group 2 BRC Sires' Produce Stakes
'I've got a stallion!' They were the first words that beaming owner Max Whitby said to trainer Chris Munce as the dynamic duo teamed up again with crack colt Cool Archie, this time taking out the $1m Group 2 BRC Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at a sodden Eagle Farm. They scored the rich victory in the nick of time, with jockeys post-race voting not to continue the double-pronged Group 1 meeting due to poor visibility. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! After snatching a powerful win from the jaws of defeat, when Cool Archie was at the back and with a wall of horses in front of him, there is little doubt prominent owner Whitby has a tantalising future breeding prospect on his hands. But first things first and Cool Archie, who steamed through the saturated Eagle Farm track to score his fourth consecutive win, is the new $6 favourite for the Group 1 JJ Atkins on Stradbroke Handicap day in a fortnight. Munce and his co-trainer son Corey have been telling anyone who will listen they have a top notch youngster on their hands. Two-year-old Cool Archie could now even be powering past their own expectations. Chris Munce, who has a decades-long friendship with Whitby stretching back to when he rode Savabeel to glory in the 2004 Cox Plate for the owner, was gobsmacked by the nature of the Sires' win. A barnstorming win by Cool Archie in the G2 BRC Sires' Produce Stakes, and that's four in a row to the @munceracing galloper! 🙌 @BrisRacingClub â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025 The former champion jockey turned trainer thought the colt had blown his chances, being so far back in the field and having to pass so many others. 'I basically wrote him off at the half-mile to be honest, I thought he would need a miracle from where he was,' Munce said. 'I thought he was in an unwinnable position. 'When they all fanned and everything opened up, he was able to take advantage of it. 'This colt has certainly flown under the radar. 'His work on Tuesday morning was terrific, Martin (Harley) galloped him on Tuesday and couldn't have been more impressed with how he went. 'I think Martin wanted to save a bit of energy in the race today. 'He wasn't too fussed on getting in close to the rail which was probably a winning move. 'I just liked the way the horse kept coming, so the mile of the JJ Atkins is definitely not going to be an issue.' Harley also had few doubts about the 1600m of the JJ Atkins being an concern for Cool Archie. 'As we knew, he wears his heart on his sleeve,' Harley said. 'He is improving run to run. He relaxed beautifully and had the will to win.' Cool Archie was backed from $9 to $7 and beat runner-up Farnicle ($19) by almost three lengths and Call Da Vinci ($26) was third. Fifth-placed Matt Dunn colt Torque To Be Sure was a terrific run for fifth and would have finished much closer on dry track.
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Cool Archie chasing fourth straight win in BRC Sires' Produce Stakes as he follows Sizzling path to Group 1
Brisbane trainer Chris Munce has compared his high-flying colt Cool Archie to one of his favourite gallopers Sizzling, who he enjoyed enormous success with as a champion jockey. Munce also said many people still did not respect Cool Archie, who will chase his fourth straight victory in the Group 2 BRC Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. • Racenet iQ members get full access to our Pro Tips service, where Greg Polson and our team of professional punters provide daily tips with fully transparent return on investment statistics. SUBSCRIBE NOW and start punting like a pro! The now 56-year-old trainer formed a special bond with Group 1 winner Sizzling, who took out the Sires' Produce in 2012 with Munce on board. 'I've got quite attached to him,' Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Munce said about Sizzling in June 2013. 'He was a little beauty right from the start.' Munce had a golden run with Sizzling in the 2012 Queensland winter carnival, winning successive Group races the Champagne Classic (now Spirit of Boom Classic), Sires' Produce and the TJ Smith (now JJ Atkins). The following year Sizzling finished seventh in the Stradbroke Handicap as a three-year-old. Cool Archie is following a similar trajectory and Munce is hoping history can repeat with a victory in the Sires' Produce this week. 'He reminds me a little bit of Sizzling, who had an early Magic Millions preparation and then he came back to win those same sort of races,' Munce said of Cool Archie. 'Sizzling won the Ken Russell (in 2012) and then won the Champagne Classic, the Sires' and JJ Atkins. 'They're a similar mould of horse so you never know.' Bookmakers have rated Cool Archie as a $15 chance for the Sires' Produce Stakes, with the winner guaranteed entry into the JJ Atkins (1600m) on June 14 at Eagle Farm. Team Hawkes' Gallo Nero is the $3.80 favourite ahead of Aerodrome ($6.50), Prince Tycoon ($8) and Beskar ($8.50). Munce bristles somewhat at those odds for Cool Archie, knowing full well that the classy colt can't do any more to impress him. 'I'm sure he'll run the seven furlongs strong, he'll do it on his ear,' said Munce, who trains in partnership with his son Corey. 'The horse is exposed now, his form is there with people to do what they want with it. 'Obviously they don't respect his ratings I suppose, for whatever reason, but I can only go on my horse and what I see in the stables and he's done everything right. 'He looks great and he's doing extremely well. I've got no reason to think he won't run good again for us.' Munce said he would chat to Irish jockey Martin Harley before deciding whether to take the blinkers off Cool Archie for Saturday's $1m Sires' Produce. The trainer also has Brookhaven running in the Lord Mayor's Cup (1800m), Payline in the Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) and Ruins Of Rom e in the Fred Best Classic (1400m). The latter two races both offer a golden ticket into next month's $3m Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap.
The Australian
17-05-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
‘Hell of a fright': James McDonald digs deep to deny local hero in Doomben 10,000
It takes a lot to surprise James McDonald but the superstar jockey conceded he got a 'hell of a fright' as he was forced to pull out all stops to deny a remarkable Queensland warrior in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000. McDonald equalled his career-best season with his 19th Group 1 win of the season and now mighty mare Sunshine In Paris looks a likely contender for the 2025 Everest after a nailbiting Doomben 10,000 triumph. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! But McDonald, riding the favourite who was strongly backed from $4.20 to $3.30, had to dig deep to get past ageless Queensland star Rothfire, who started $41. Another Queenslander, $51 roughie Payline, rounded out the placings to complete a big day for Chris Munce who earlier trained a pair of winners. There were huge cheers from the Sunshine In Paris camp as Rob and Annabel Archibald celebrated their first Group 1 together since their recent wedding. But it was far from easy pickings as McDonald fought out one of his tougher Group 1 wins. 'That Rothfire, he is as tough as they come,' McDonald said. 'I was worried at the furlong that I wasn't going to get to him. 'He had a tougher run than we did, but he kept surging. 'Credit to him, he gave me a hell of a fright.' • What the jockeys said: 2025 Doomben 10,000 The heavy Doomben track meant some Doomben 10,000 runners were always going to struggle to be there at the business end. But Sunshine In Paris looked to be travelling well a long way from home in the first Group 1 of the Queensland winter carnival. But Rothfire would simply not be denied and kept kicking, despite trainer Rob Heathcote knowing his seven-year-old galloper who won his Group 1 at age two was not at his best on heavy tracks. 'We've been knocked off by arguably one of the best mares in the country and he's done Queensland proud,' Heathcote declared. 'I knew he would run a big race today because I had faith in his courage and he's proven that. He's as tough as they come. 'He's been a warrior for me his entire life. 'I shudder to think what he would have been had he not suffered that injury earlier in his career. 'The old bugger, he runs on three legs but he's not lame, he's not sore.' A smiling James McDonald returns to the winner's enclosure. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography. Rob Archibald said it was full credit to Sunshine In Paris who nabbed her third career Group 1. 'I'm just so pleased for the mare, she's been great all preparation but she just hasn't had a good draw, so I'm really pleased it worked out well,' he said. 'Thanks to her owners for being brave enough and supportive enough to run her on a track which probably isn't to her liking.' Of the beaten brigade, Overpass's jockey Josh Parr blamed the heavy track conditions for a ninth-placed finish. 'It's unfortunate that we got such a putrid track here today,' Parr said. 'He tried his hardest but he couldn't go on the ground.'
News.com.au
17-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Sunshine In Paris gives James McDonald another Group 1 in the Doomben 10,000
It takes a lot to surprise James McDonald but the superstar jockey conceded he got a 'hell of a fright' as he was forced to pull out all stops to deny a remarkable Queensland warrior in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000. McDonald equalled his career-best season with his 19th Group 1 win of the season and now mighty mare Sunshine In Paris looks a likely contender for the 2025 Everest after a nailbiting Doomben 10,000 triumph. But McDonald, riding the favourite who was strongly backed from $4.20 to $3.30, had to dig deep to get past ageless Queensland star Rothfire, who started $41. Another Queenslander, $51 roughie Payline, rounded out the placings to complete a big day for Chris Munce who earlier trained a pair of winners. There were huge cheers from the Sunshine In Paris camp as Rob and Annabel Archibald celebrated their first Group 1 together since their recent wedding. But it was far from easy pickings as McDonald fought out one of his tougher Group 1 wins. 'That Rothfire, he is as tough as they come,' McDonald said. 'I was worried at the furlong that I wasn't going to get to him. 'He had a tougher run than we did, but he kept surging. 'Credit to him, he gave me a hell of a fright.' Too good J-Mac! He lifts Sunshine In Paris to victory in the Doomben 10,000 ðŸ'° @mcacajamez @ANeashamRacing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 17, 2025 The heavy Doomben track meant some Doomben 10,000 runners were always going to struggle to be there at the business end. But Sunshine In Paris looked to be travelling well a long way from home in the first Group 1 of the Queensland winter carnival. But Rothfire would simply not be denied and kept kicking, despite trainer Rob Heathcote knowing his seven-year-old galloper who won his Group 1 at age two was not at his best on heavy tracks. 'We've been knocked off by arguably one of the best mares in the country and he's done Queensland proud,' Heathcote declared. 'I knew he would run a big race today because I had faith in his courage and he's proven that. He's as tough as they come. 'He's been a warrior for me his entire life. 'I shudder to think what he would have been had he not suffered that injury earlier in his career. 'The old bugger, he runs on three legs but he's not lame, he's not sore.' Rob Archibald said it was full credit to Sunshine In Paris who nabbed her third career Group 1. 'I'm just so pleased for the mare, she's been great all preparation but she just hasn't had a good draw, so I'm really pleased it worked out well,' he said. 'Thanks to her owners for being brave enough and supportive enough to run her on a track which probably isn't to her liking.' Of the beaten brigade, Overpass's jockey Josh Parr blamed the heavy track conditions for a ninth-placed finish. 'It's unfortunate that we got such a putrid track here today,' Parr said. 'He tried his hardest but he couldn't go on the ground.'
News.com.au
17-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Chris Munce colt Cool Archie continues surge through the grades with victory in Spirit Of Boom Classic at Doomben
Chris Munce won a Cox Plate for big-time owner Max Whitby and their decades-long friendship hit another high note when exciting young colt Cool Archie scored the Group 2 Spirit Of Boom Classic at Doomben. Legendary former jockey Munce rode Savabeel to glory in the 2004 Cox Plate for Whitby and the two have been tight ever since. When Munce retired from riding and turned to training in Queensland a decade ago, Whitby was one of the first owners who supported him. The former Sydney-based owner, now living on the Gold Coast, was trackside at Doomben to watch former Irish jockey Martin Harley conjure a wonderful ride to score on Cool Archie. Harley was first out of the gates on Cool Archie but let others go and was in a stalking position, surging to the lead near the post and holding off the challenge from runner-up Gallo Nero. The narrow victory made it three wins on the bounce and continued Cool Archie's surge towards elite races like the BRC Sires' Produce Stakes and the Group 1 JJ Atkins. After Saturday's 1200m win, Cool Archie firmed from $26 to $11 in Sires' Produce betting and $26 to $15 in the JJ Atkins market. Birthday boy Munce, who trains with son Corey, was thrilled he had captured Saturday's race for Whitby. Another winner for @munceracing, with Cool Archie getting the nose down in the Spirit Of Boom Classic! â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 17, 2025 'Max has been a great supporter, as a jockey I won a Cox Plate and a Caulfield Guineas for him and we even won a Darwin Cup,' Munce said. 'I've had a lot of luck with Max over the years. 'Even when I first started training he sent me up a horse called First Crush, and a few other horses, to kick me off. 'And he took shares in other horses, it's great to be able to reward him with a winner like this today. 'It's on to the Sires' next and then the JJ Atkins. 'I'll have to have a chat with Martin (Harley) to see if we take the blinkers off. 'He's a really nice colt, you wouldn't think he's a colt because he's so laid-back and casual. 'He's got a heart as big as he is, which is all you can ask for.' Whitby is known for his love of a bet and relished the win of Cool Archie, who firmed from $10 into $8. 'I think we might have a proper colt on our hands,' Whitby declared. Harley knew Cool Archie had match fitness on his side, but insisted it was a 'pretty special' win. 'He's a horse we hold in high regard, he travelled smoothly today and luckily I couldn't get there too soon because there were horses in front of me,' Harley said. 'He wanted to go through the gap and showed a great will to win.' Third-placed Grafterburners lost no admirers after covering more ground than the early explorers. â– â– â– â– â– Schweida eyes bigger riches for El Morzillo Aided by a clever ride by Jason Collett, Queensland filly El Morzillo laid down a potential Group 1 winter carnival marker when she was ridden outside of her comfort zone to score at Doomben. El Morzillo surged past the $1m prizemoney mark when she was much closer than most expected in the run, with Collett sitting pretty just behind the leaders in the QTIS 3YO Plate (1350m). On a heavy Doomben track, El Morzillo may have had no hope had she been ridden to her normal pattern of dropping well back in the field and swooping home. Trainer Kelly Schweida would love to get the three-year-old grey filly into the Group 1 Stradbroke Handica p or Group 1 Tatt's Tiara. El Morzillo had a rating of 92 before Saturday's Doomben win and even with the looming ratings boost she would almost certainly need to score the Group 3 Fred Best Classic to surge into the Stradbroke field. A brilliant Jason Collett ride sees El Morzillo come out on top in Race 3 at Doomben. @schweidaracing â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 17, 2025 The winner of the Fred Best, at Eagle Farm on May 31, earns a golden ticket into the Stradbroke, Regardless of the future, Saturday's win was pleasing for Schweida as he has high winter carnival hopes for the filly who won a $1m restricted sprint at Flemington in March. She was slightly disappointing when she resumed in the Group 2 Victory Stakes, but probably had no hope to score that race considering she was last in the run and they zipped home. The Doomben win on Saturday added to El Morzillo's impressive resume. 'Plan A was not to be too far back on the heavy track today,' Schweida said. 'She was tough, as her normal pattern is to get back and find the line. 'I'd love to get her into a Stradbroke, if we could, or a Tatt's Tiara would be a nice race for her if she is good enough.' El Morzillo was sent out a $4.80 chance and got home over $81 roughie Ruins Of Rome and $9 prospect Cosmo Centaurus. The Godolphin favourite, Pisces, was unplaced under James McDonald after being slow away and then trying to make ground along the inside.
