Surprise winner Saint Patricks Day will be aimed towards the Group 1 $600,000 BMW Australia J.J. Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 10 after scoring an upset win at Eagle Farm last Saturday.
Trainer Chris Munce, above, will aim Saint Particks Day towards the G1 J J Atkins at Eagle farm. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Saint Patricks Days was one of two runners trainer Chris Munce saddled up in the Listed $100,000 Dalrello Stakes (1200m) and the two year old colt saluted at the lucrative odds of $26 while the stable’s more fancied runner, $4.40 second favourite Ours To Keep, finished in fourth position, three and a quarter lengths behind his stablemate.
“He’ll run in the Champagne Classic next and I think he’s well and truly up to running 1600 metres in the J J Atkins,” Munce said.
Munce couldn’t believe that Saint Patrick’s Day was sent out as such big odds after the he worked in great style on the Eagle Farm course proper on the Tuesday morning in preparation for the Dalrello Stakles.
“I couldn’t believe it when they bet $61 early on. I even tipped him as a top chance in a radio interview on Friday so it was no shock,” Munce said.
Saint Particks Day was only having his third race start last Saturday at Eagle Farm but did put the writing on the wall at his previous start with a tough win in 1000m 2yo Maiden at the Sunshine Coast on April 9.
The Excelebration colt was a product of the 2016 Magic Million Yearling Sales but Munce said that he wasn’t ready for a tough Magic Millions Carnival campaign in January and put him away to prepare for the Winter Carnival.
“He was too immature to set for the Magic Millions Classic but he has really come on strongly. He won very well at Caloundra first up.” Munce said.
Winning jockey Ronnie Stewart continued on with his good form with a faultless ride that saw Saint Patricks Day grab $2 favourite Snitzkraft at the 200m before holding off the fast finishing Capital Gain ($8).
Munce has selected the Group 2 $175,000 Moet Champagne Classic (1200m) at Doomben on May 13 as Saint Patricks Day‘s next assignment in the lead up to the J J Atkins.
