Munce magic: father-son team eyes Classic glory

The first year of business is supposedly the hardest, if that is the case, Chris and Corey Munce’s training partnership is in for a long, successful career.

The Grand Slam-winning jockey and his son have had 111 starters in their first year for 18 winners, including winning the JJ Atkins with Cool Archie.

But the stable is far from a one-hit wonder.

It could add a Magic Millions Classic on Saturday, a race Chris won a record three times in the saddle, with unbeaten colt Zip Lock or filly Double Cool.

“He is the best chance we have had going into the race,” is Munce’s quick appraisal of Zip Lock.

“The filly has come on at the right time as well. and I wouldn’t write her off. She is over the odds. The good thing is they both drew well.”

It would continue a remarkable start to 2026, where the Munces have six winners and seven placings from 29 runners.

 

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The Munces are not the biggest stable, and have no intentions on becoming one, but when they get a good one the they capitalise on it.

“We don’t have a big team, but our goal is make the most out of what have got,” Chris Munce said. “The idea is have a good quality team of people and horses and enjoy going to the races.”

Munce made his name in the saddle and has had a life in racing, but son Corey first love was planes. He has a commercial pilot’s licence but decided he wanted to be part of the family business.

Munce added Corey’s name to racebook at the beginning of last year and the family operation also includes daughter Caitlin, who runs the Gold Coast stable.

“She is just has important to our team and is always in the background,” Munce said. “We the right people.

“It’s a great team. Corey had to do apprenticeship and make sure he would like it and since he has been here it has been great.

“He makes sure our systems work when I’m not around and he is probably the calm one when I get frustrated. It just works well.”

The Munces have stable jockey Irishman Martin Harley, who is extension of Chris in many way thinking on the same plane and offering insights the trainers need.

“He’s a big asset because he loves his horses and he loves being involved in a team environment,” Munce said of Harley.

“He loves being part of the whole system. He’s a very good assessor of a horse and he can give you good feedback that can help you improve, which is what you need.

 “He says something, and I can look at it through my eyes. It is like what I would have said when I was riding, if that make sense that’s very important.

”It’s hard to explain that is Corey, but I told him he will learn off Martin.”
Munce has given up riding one or two in the morning, but Zip Lock was one of his final rides when he came into the stable.

The feel gave him as been frank in his two wins, including the Brice McLachlan Stakes.

“He was always a bit special,” Munce said. “Early days, I had a couple spins on him.

“He wasn’t doing much at the time, but he was always a good mover with a big action and good attitude.

“We were never going to push him because I always liked him.

“If he put up the white flag, he would have been in the paddock now because I think he’s a really nice horse.

“But he loves his training and loves his work.”
Zip Lock is the second pick in Magic Millions betting at $6 and remains underrated by punters, and Munce feels there is another level for him to go after two easy wins.

“There is an untapped part to him because I don’t think we have seen him under pressure yet,” Munce said.

“His work is the same. He works like a horse with a lot to give. He just does things so effortlessly.”

There remains an understateness about Munce and his Magic Millions chances.

“We still have go and do it,” he said.  “I just got to have faith in my horse, which I do.

“Faith in my jockey, which I do.

“And faith in our system and the results will come.”