Munce keeps faith in Millions hopes

CHRIS Munce holds the record for riding three Magic Millions 2YO winners, but he would get more satisfaction out of training the victor of the rich juvenile sprint.

BEN DORRIES

2 min read

December 16, 2016 - 5:00PM

CHRIS Munce holds the record for riding three Magic Millions 2YO winners, but he would get more satisfaction out of training the victor of the rich juvenile sprint.

The former champion jockey-turned-trainer will unleash talented colt Ours To Keep and filly Champ Elect at Doomben on Saturday as both head towards the 2YO feature on the Gold Coast next month.

Munce rode Sunblazer (1989), Excellerator (2001) and Dance Hero (2004) to Magic Millions glory but insists training the winner would be a greater achievement.

“As a trainer, you basically look after these horses when they are immature babies and try to get them to the stage when they can win a big race,” Munce said.

“It was great what I was able to achieve as a jockey in the Magic Millions but I think training the winner would be better.

“A lot of hard work has gone into getting these young horses ready to show what they can do.’’

Ours To Keep, who bolted in on debut at Doomben in October, starts a hot $2.20 favourite in Saturday’s Phelan Ready Stakes (1110m).

Chris Munce at his stables at Hendra. Picture: Ric Frearson

The son of Seidnazar is on the fifth line of Magic Millions betting, at $12 with UBET, and will likely firm further if he posts another win on Saturday.

Munce originally bought Ours To Keep for a group of Sydney owners but they went missing and left Munce to foot the bill.

Munce and his wife Cathy decided to keep the colt (hence his name) and he is delighted with that turn of events.

Ours To Keep looked a serious racehorse when he had more than four lengths to spare over his rivals on debut and clocked a slick 60.58sec for the 1050m.

“I think his times and sectionals really speak for themselves,” Munce said.

“The time he ran that day was only just outside the open company sprinters. On that alone, he has put his hand up as a good horse.

“He has done enough work to win in his comeback run at Doomben, but if he is ever going to be vulnerable, that will be the day.

“The Magic Millions is his grand final and everything is targeted towards that race.’’

Both Ours To Keep and Champ Elect look to have enough prizemoney in the bank to have qualified for the Magic Millions but Munce is taking nothing for granted.

Champ Elect, who starts a $2.60 favourite in Saturday’s Calaway Gal Stakes (1110m), won at Doomben last month and is quoted as a $26 chance for the Magic Millions.

“Champ Elect is a nice filly but it is possible everything has come a bit soon for her, we haven’t put her under a lot of pressure so far,” Munce said.

“She has done everything she has been asked to do.”

Damian Browne will ride both of Munce’s two-year-olds at Doomben on Saturday.

Munce said his choice of jockey for the Magic Millions would be shaped by what Browne wanted to ride.