Massive plunge on Chris and Corey Munce runner Navyonthehighway lands at Doomben which paves Stradbroke Handicap dream
Chris and Corey Munce have big plans for Navyonthehighway who scored an easy win at Doomben following a betting sting.
Father and son duo Chris and Corey Munce pulled off a betting sting at Doomben on Saturday with a mare they hope can win her way into Queensland’s greatest race next year.
Navyonthehighway was subject to a savage betting plunge after bookmakers put up $3.50 for the mare earlier in the week, before jumping a hot odds-on commodity under stable apprentice Tahlia Fenlon in what was an easy watch for punters.
A trip to Sydney now looms for the four-year-old, while The Gateway in December is also in the back of the Munce’s minds, with a slot in the Stradbroke Handicap up for grabs for the winner of the race.
The ultra-promising Navyonthehighway wins again. She handles the step up to 1350m and leads throughout in Race 4 at Doomben for @munceracing. pic.twitter.com/gKk7IyTeuN
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 26, 2024
Jumping a $1.60 favourite, Fenlon took no prisoners with her daring front running ride in the Class 3 Plate (1350m) in what was a dominant performance.
“Tahlia rode her well, I guess the question was whether she would run the 1350m, which Chris was really confident she would,” Corey Munce said.
“We have been trying to give her some confidence and doing the right thing by her, letting her grow up physically and mentally.
“The Hot Danish (1400m) is in Sydney in a couple weeks’ time.
“She is four, so there is The Gateway as well which would give us the ticket for next year, so we will look at all the options.”
The Gateway recently had its conditions changed by Queensland racing officials to allow three-year-olds into the race in an attempt to make it a stronger contest with a Stradbroke slot on the line.
It will be the second year a slot in the Stradbroke is up for grabs in the race, with Australian Bloodstock winning it last year with Dream Hour.
After weighing up options to trade the slot in the winter, they eventually kept it themselves to race Dream Hour in the race.
HK EXPERT CALLED UP
The wheels are in motion to increase pre-race testing in Queensland, with the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission calling up leading vet Peter Curl to review their current procedures.
The respected vet, who has worked at the Hong Kong Jockey Club and Racing New South Wales, was last week called in as a consultant to identify areas and black spots within the organisation when it comes to veterinary practises.
New deputy commissioner Kim Kelly has signalled his intentions to ramp up pre-race testing in Queensland, with Curl’s review set to play a role in assisting that process.
QRIC will also look at how best to use vet resources on the ground, as one of the most essential elements to animal welfare in the sport.
After working for as the executive manager of Veterinary Regulation for the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Curl most recently worked as the chief regulatory veterinarian for Racing New South Wales.
Originally published as Massive plunge on Chris and Corey Munce runner Navyonthehighway lands at Doomben which paves Stradbroke Handicap dream
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