Eagle Farm trainer Chris Munce is not frightened by the two hotshot fillies Houtzen and From Within in the $2m Jeep Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Jockey Damian Browne and trainer Chris Munce, above, will team up with Ours To Keep in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic at the Gold Coast. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Munce, a three times winner of the Magic Millions 2yo Classic as a jockey, will saddle up $8.50 chance Ours To Keep and $21 outsider Champ Elect and can see some weaknesses in the preparation of the two favourites.
Gold Coast filly Houtzen, the $2.40 favourite at Ladbrokes.com.au, has to back up in a week after being super impressive in leading all of the way to win over 1100m on her home track last Saturday while Chris Waller’s filly From Within, on the second line of betting at $4, has to make the trip up from Sydney.
“Everyone is getting carried away with the two fillies that won in the last fortnight,” Munce told The Courier-Mail.
“Houtzen has looked good but she has to back up and the (Chris) Waller filly has to get up here and still be at the top of her game.
“I am not at all scared off by what I have seen.”
Ours To Keep and Champ Elect are both undefeated with five wins between them and Munce is bemused that both seem to be well over the odds compared to their performances.
“I don’t know what more my colt (Ours To Keep) has to do,” Munce said.
“He’s three from three, run time on each occasion and beat the Sydney horses fair and square last time, plus he’s improved a ton off that run.
“And with Champ Elect, I know all the ratings geniuses say she hasn’t run time and all the rest of it, but she can only beat what’s been put in front of her.
“I just don’t think they could have done anything more.”
Damian Browne will continue his association with the undefeated Ours To Keep after he made it three wins from three starts when he beat Saturday’s rival Goodfella in the Group 3 $200,000 Lilivale Stud B.J. McLachlan Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on December 31.
Champ Elect is also undefeated from two race starts and Kerrin McEvoy takes over from Browne following the fillies win in the Listed $100,000 Calaway Gal Stakes (1110m) at Doomben on December 17.
Munce can’t fault the preparation of his two Magic Millions 2yo Classic chances and gave them both a huge tick of approval after they worked at Eagle Farm on Saturday morning.
“Their work on the course proper (Saturday) was terrific,” Munce said.
“They couldn’t be better. They’ve both had uninterrupted preparations, there’s been no hiccups and are exactly where I want them.”
Munce claimed the winning Magic Millions 2yo Classic trophy as a jockey on Sunblazer for his boss Eric Kirwin in 1989, and twice for Gai Waterhouse on Excellerator in 2001 and Dance Hero in 2004.
Market order for the Magic Millions 2yo Classic at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3.40 Houtzen, $4 From Within, $7.50 Invincible Star, $8.50 Madeenaty, Ours To Keep, $17 Goodfella, $21 Champ Elect, Chauffeur, $26 Falconic $31 Cellargirl, $41 Bring It Home Pop, Madam Moustache, $51 Colosimo, $81 Saxon Rock, Arrester, Real Princess, Tiara Star, Invader, $201 Zukaz, Gwapo, Imaginalthepeople.
