'Team Munce' hopeful of more Magic Millions glory

By Glenn Davis

The father-and-son training partnership of Chris and Corey Munce is hopeful Vein Girl or Cool Archie will be successful at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

The Munce duo are at opposite ends in markets for the $3 million Magic Millions Classic after Vein Girl drew gate six at Tuesday’s barrier draw while Cool Archie came up with gate 20.

Vein Girl firmed from $15 into $13 following the draw while Cool Archie is a $31 outsider.

'Team Munce' has been in dynamic form in Magic Millions features this season.

They won The Debut with Vein Girl at the Gold Coast last month and the Magic Millions The Syndicate with Payline at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.

The barrier draw was a disaster for trainer Ciaron Maher with early favourite Icarian Dream drawing barrier 21 in the Melbourne trainer’s attempt for a third Magic Millions Classic.

Icarian Dream was a $4.50 favourite in early markets but her price has blown out to $7 after the draw while Victorian youngster Invincible Woman is the new $5 favourite after drawing gate nine.

Chris Munce tasted Magic Millions Classic success three times as a jockey but there'll be no prouder moment in his racing career if he can share some Magic Millions Classic glory with son Corey.

“Corey has been a great help to me since we started training together,” co-trainer Chris said.

“He takes a lot of pressure off me and lets me concentrate on the horses.

“He’s very passionate and wants to do well himself and now he’s involved a bit more he’s become wrapped up in the business.

“The draw is very good for Vein Girl and if we can win the Magic Millions Classic it’ll be up there as one of the proudest moments of my training career and it’ll be a great thrill.”

As well as being the only rider in history to win three Magic Millions Classic aboard Sunblazer (1989), Excellerator (2001) and Dance Hero (2004), Chris won the Magic Millions Guineas as a trainer with Boomsara in 2019.

Chris only joined forces with his son in a training partnership at the start of the season last year.

Vein Girl booked her place in the Magic Millions Classic with an explosive win in The Debut.

Cool Archie is still a maiden but sealed his spot with a gutsy second to Icarian Dream in the Group 3 B.J. McLachlan Stakes at Eagle Farm last month.

“Both are live chances and will run well,” Chris said.

“Vein Girl has ticked over nicely since her win and the form around her is very solid.

“She’s a push button racehorse and does everything right and has good gate speed.

“She can be wherever you want and is a very competitive.”

Chris was hopeful for an inside draw for Vein Girl, who was a $60,000 purchase, while Cool Archie was knocked down for $120,000.

“Cool Archie is a lovely colt who’ll get better with time and he’s handled everything we’ve asked of him so far,” Chris said.

“The blinkers improved him in the B.J. McLachlan and he’s improved again off that.”