Munce looking for Stampe of approval

By Richard Goodbody

A berth in the Magic Millions Cup awaits Stampe should he be able to continue his blistering form of late.

The five-year-old gelding is among those chasing a Magic Millions wildcard in Saturday’s The Buffering (1350), having claimed the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes a fortnight ago.

In his two previous starts, Stampe ran second behind Tambo’s Mate in the Listed Keith Noud Quality before running third behind Zoustyle and Baller in the Group 3 George Moore Stakes.

The weekend will decide whether Stampe reaches the end of his preparation or pushes on for a tilt in next month’s $1 million feature on the Gold Coast.

“He seems to be going quite well,” Munce said.

“All runs this prep have been really good and it was a deserved win for him the other day here at Eagle Farm.

“Heads to Doomben - he’s won there, he’s won over 1350m - probably a little bit of a stronger race, but I think the way he went the other day, I wouldn’t say it’s not that much stronger.

“Saturday will determine where we go with him. If he wins Saturday that gets him a run in the Magic Millions Cup.

“If not, he’ll probably go to the paddock and just concentrate on the winter I’d suggest.”

A strong field has been assembled for Saturday’s $200,000 feature with Group 1 winner and cult favourite, Kementari, among the acceptors.

Tambo’s Mate and Apache Chase, fresh off his win in The Gateway, are also among the contenders.

Meanwhile, Centrefire will carry Munce’s hopes in the Listed Nudgee Stakes (1200m) with Georgie Cartwright aboard.

The five-year-old mare finished fourth last start in the Listed Just Now, but was merely 0.6 lengths off East Asia.

She will have to contend with a slick field on Saturday, however, with Tony Gollan’s Group 1 winner, Krone, a certain starter, while stablemate, Isotope, may well make her long awaited return.

East Asia, Eloquently and Tycoon Evie, who filled the placings in the Just Now, all return for the Nudgee.

“She was very stiff the other day…she probably should have won at Eagle Farm,” Munce said.

“She was three or four wide the trip, that was no fault of Georgie’s she did the best that she could, it was just a torrid run throughout.

“For her to battle on the way she did, I still thought she was going to win inside the 100m mark.”