Trainer Chris Munce has penned another significant entry in the Ipswich Cup’s history, this time sharing the triumph with his son, Corey.
Munce himself secured the Listed staying feature aboard Oompala back in 1994, a horse that later achieved third place in the Melbourne Cup behind Jeune.
His training career saw its first Ipswich Cup success with Smart Meteor in 2022, and Kaluakoi continued the family’s winning streak in the event on Saturday.
Munce reflected on his past successes, stating, “Oompala was a very good galloper. He won the Caloundra Cup, got beaten in the Grafton Cup, then went and ran third in the Melbourne Cup. To be able to ride a winner and now train two, one with Corey, it’s a great thrill.”
The trainer admitted to having some reservations before Saturday’s race due to Kaluakoi not having had a recent middle-distance run this preparation.
However, these concerns dissipated as the field completed the first lap.
Munce recounted his conversation with Corey, saying, “I said to Corey when he got past the winning post that he was going to be hard to beat because he pricked his ears down the hill and relaxed lovely. He’s got no real turn of foot, but he’s a tough galloper.”
Kaluakoi, the $4.60 favourite, led the field throughout and demonstrated a strong finish under apprentice Emily Lang, ultimately winning by three-quarters of a length from Encoder ($4.80). Sun Worshipper ($21) secured third place, a further 1-1/2 lengths behind.
This marked Lang’s fifth stakes-level victory, and she credited Chris Munce’s guidance for her aggressive early tactics.
Lang explained, “He did say to me on Thursday at the trials that he didn’t want (the horse) to be ridden pretty. The last four or so weeks have been really tough. I obviously don’t have a claim anymore, and with all the Sydney and Melbourne jockeys coming up, my manager has had to do a really tough job of getting me rides. When I get the opportunity from a stable like Chris and Corey Munce, it makes all the difference and it’s good to get the job done.”
In the Listed Eye Liner Stakes (1350m), the Michael Freedman-trained Soothsayer, guided by Daniel Moor from a wide barrier, emerged victorious.
Lee Freedman, overseeing his brother’s Gold Coast operation, expressed surprise at the six-year-old’s significant improvement this season, suggesting he could mature into a capable miler next year.
“I’m a bit flabbergaster to be honest because he’s gone from a benchmark 85 to a Group Three. He may have come back this ‘prep’ better than ever. I always thought he’d be a good horse for a race like the Epsom (Handicap), so that may be the race you see him in,” Lee Freedman commented.
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