Ours To Keep will get good run from handy barrier in Magic Millions 2yo Classic

Market mover Ours To Keep will get the run of the race after drawing an inside barrier for 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.

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.

Ours To Keep has firmed in from $7.50 to $6.50 with Ladbrokes.com.au since drawing barrier four in the original draw but is likely to jump from gate two with two of the five emergencies drawn inside of the Seidnazar colt.

Chris Munce expects jockey Damian Browne to get a perfect trail just off an expected hot pace which will give the former champion jockey a great chance to win his first Magic Millions 2yo Classic winner as a trainer.

“It should give him every chance as there should be plenty of pace and he can get a sit,” Munce told AAP.

Before switching to the training ranks two years ago, Munce was regarded as one of the best jockeys in Australia with success in most of the major races in the country including three wins in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic.

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.

Ours To Keep will be looking to keep his winning record intact after recording a hat trick of wins with his victory in the Group 3 $200,000 Lilivale Stud B.J. McLachlan Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on December 31.

Munce will also saddle up unbeaten filly Champ Elect who has drifted to $31 after coming up with barrier seventeen at the barrier draw.

“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.”

Gold Coast filly Houtzen has regained favouritism at $3.80 after having lost the top spot after drawing the outside barrier to the Chris Waller trained From Within who has now been pushed back to the second spot at $3.90 after heading the market order yesterday after drawing nicely at barrier seven out of twenty-one in the original draw with sixteen plus five emergencies.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.