Trainer Chris Munce is confident his undefeated colt Ours To Keep can get the job done for the punters again in Brisbane’s BJ McLachlan Stakes on Saturday heading towards the Magic Millions Carnival.
Three-time Magic Millions 2YO Classic winning jockey Chris Munce seeks his first win in the January 14 feature as a trainer with Ours To Keep. Photo: Daniel Costello.
The son of Seidnazar is one of 16 two-year-olds taking to the Eagle Farm track on New Year’s Eve in Race 5 – the $200,000 Group 3 Lilivale Stud B.J. McLachlan Stakes (1200m).
Heading markets at Ladbrokes.com.au for the juvenile’s sprint is Munce’s promising Black-Type winner Ours To Keep at a current quote of $3.20.
Drawn to perfection in gate two, the favourite has premier Queensland hoop Damian Browne aboard for the third time.
The duo combined on October 1 for the horse’s debut four and a quarter-length win over 1050m at Doomben before returning to that track on December 17.
Ours To Keep jumped odds-on in the Listed Phelan Ready Plate (1100m) and didn’t disappoint, winning the stakes race by a quarter-length.
His ultimate summer racing goal takes place at the Gold Coast Racecourse on January 14 in the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m).
Pre-field Magic Millions 2YO Classic betting has Ours To Keep listed as a $10 chance.
Munce won the race three times during his career as a champion jockey aboard Sunblazer (1989), Excellerator (2001) and most recently Dance Hero (2004).
He is hoping to now enjoy a win from the other side of the saddle and believes Ours To Keep will be spot-on for the lucrative Restricted Listed feature after Saturday’s run.
“He has come along nicely since his last start win at Doomben and Saturday’s race should top him off nicely for the Magic Millions two-year-old Classic,” Munce told AAP this week.
Also heading towards the Magic Millions 2YO Classic in 2017 for Munce is Choisir filly Champ Elect.
She is also unbeaten having won her opening two career starts at Doomben with Browne aboard.
Her first turf triumph was on November 5 followed by a step up in class for a narrow long neck win over Make My Own Luck in the Listed Calaway Gal Stakes (1100m) a fortnight back.
Unlike Ours To Keep, Champ Elect will go next-up into the Magic Millions race without another lead-up and is paying $13 for the win in the latest all-in markets.
Madeenaty from the Euroa stables of Lindsay Park is the current $6 Magic Millions Classic favourite after the daughter of Exceed And Excel took out the Wyong edition of the race on December 22.
