Gold Coast Brings Out Munce’s Magic

Chris Munce is almost untouchable at the top of the Brisbane jockey’s premiership at the moment and if his rivals are hoping for a dip in form on the Gold Coast they have another thing coming.

Munce has a tremendous association with the Magic Millions Carnival and particularly the $2 million Magic Millions Classic.

He had only just begun riding when the event first kicked off in 1987 but it didn’t take him long to become a part of the action himself.

In fact it was only two years later in 1989 when he won the two year old feature event with Sunblazer.

“When I won the race on Sunblazer, it was obviously a big moment for me but it was also special because Eric Kirwan trained the horse,” Munce said.

Since then he’s gone on to claim 42 Group 1 wins and a rare grand slam of Australian feature’s but the Gold Coast still remains a special place for him.

He’s gone back to win the title in 2001 with Excellerator and Dance Hero in 2004.

Only Mick Dittman holds claim to having won the Magic Millions three times when he won both legs of the 1991 split event with Bold Promise and with General Nedium in 1997.

Munce could have already claimed the record in his own right were it not for an injury in 1994 which cost him the ride on eventual winner Brave Warrior.

He feels he can claim retribution tomorrow though when he jumps in the saddle of second pick Sizzling.

Despite losses to both Noogoora Burr and Dreifontein at his last two starts Munce says a change of luck is all he needs.

“Sizzling is just a real little professional,” Munce said.

“He hasn’t had much luck at his last two runs but he has still run great races.

“He’s drawn the right barrier (six) and should get a lovely run. He won’t get as far back as he has in his last two runs.”

He maintains that the only reason Sizzling has lacked early speed is because they’ve had to go back from a wide alley and things will be different tomorrow.

“We rode him back purposely the other day because of the bad barrier but I’m sure he will be closer to the leaders this time,” he said.

He agrees that the event looks like a race in three with the top fancies to fill the podium.

“I think Gai Waterhouse is not far off the mark when she said her filly, Driefontein, Gerald Ryan’s horse Amorino and Sizzling will fight it out,” Munce said.

He has a chance for a huge day on the Gold Coast with eight rides in nine events including solid hope Lucky Morna in the $1 million Magic Millions Guineas.

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