Chris Munce to test the credentials of Echo Gal's main Magic Millions rivals when he partners her at Doomben
CHRIS Munce is going to get an appreciation of his main Magic Millions rivals when he partners Echo Gal in the B.J. McLachlan Stakes tomorrow.
Racing
Don't miss out on the headlines from Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
GRAND Slam-winning jockey Chris Munce is going to get an appreciation of his main Magic Millions rivals when he partners unbeaten Sydney filly Echo Gal in the Group 3 $150,000 B.J. McLachlan Stakes (1200m) at Doomben tomorrow.
Munce is substituting for the suspended Tommy Berry on the Gai Waterhouse-trained Echo Gal, a runaway winner of her only start at Warwick Farm this month.
Echo Gal is the $4 favourite for the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic on January 11 but some of her main rivals for the glamour Gold Coast juvenile will take her on at Doomben tomorrow.
They include Magic Millions second favourite Oakleigh Girl ($4.20), brilliant last-start Wyong Magic Millions winner Unencumbered and unbeaten locals Bassillique, Pinch River and Stroak.
``I think we can safely say that whoever wins this race will be the Magic Millions favourite,'' Munce said.
``I haven't ridden Echo Gal but I've seen her at the track and she looks a nice type of filly.
``She does everything right in her races, her first-up win was very good, so she should be hard to beat.''
Munce rates Basillique as the best of the local trio after his impressive debut to win the Phelan Ready Stakes at Doomben this month.
``Bassillique is a lovely type and he was very strong at the finish the other day,'' Munce said.
``Pinch River is two from two and has done everything right, he's a jump and run type but I'm just not sure that he has beaten much so far.
``Stroak is a similar type to Pinch River and has looked good in his two wins but again I'm not sure about the opposition.''
Munce is chasing a record fourth Magic Millions after previous successes with Sunblazer (1989), Excellerator (2001) and Dance Hero (2004) and revealed he is likely to ride Vienna Royale next month.
Vienna Royale was among the early favourites for the Magic Millions after an easy debut win but he is now out to $26 after his Doomben flop this month when he started long odds-on, took a left-hand turn at the start, ran off on the home turn and finished second last.
The Falvelon colt had to perform at the barriers in front of stewards at Eagle Farm last Tuesday before being allowed to start again and came through with flying colours.
Munce rides Vienna Royale, who will race with winkers, in the $75,000 Hopeful Stakes (1000m) at Toowoomba on New Year's Eve.
The champion jockey, one of only seven riders to win Australian racing's four biggest races, Melbourne Cup, Golden Slipper, Cox Plate and Caulfield Cup, is hopeful of securing the feature race double at Doomben tomorrow.
Munce is also riding the in-form Into The Red in the Group 3 $150,000 Vo Rogue Plate (1350m).
Into The Red was a determined winner of the Gold Edition Plate last start but he has drawn awkwardly in barrier 15 for the Doomben race.
``He's going really well and if he can overcome that gate, then he is in the race again,'' Munce said.
‘It’s why I get so emotional’: Another Wil’s special family connection
There is a deep and emotional family connection in the ownership of freak racehorse Another Wil who is named after a 14-year-old boy and could be on a Cox Plate path this spring.
Marshall scores Hole In One at Kranji farewell
Brisbane jockey Taylor Marshall will have the opportunity to win the last ever race run at Kranji next month when he takes the ride on Hole In One in the Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup.