Latest news with #DoncasterMile
Herald Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Jockey Martin Harley keen to resume Cool Archie partnership
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. A rejuvenated Martin Harley is hoping that gun colt Cool Archie can put him on the map in the same way that mighty mare Winx defined the career of fellow jockey Hugh Bowman. Irish hoop Harley returned to Brisbane on Saturday night after a much-needed holiday back home where he celebrated his epic Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) victory on Cool Archie at Eagle Farm last month with family and friends. Of course, Harley doesn't expect the Chris and Corey Munce-trained colt to win a world-record 33 consecutive races like the legendary Winx, but he knows that a quality horse like Cool Archie comes along once in a blue moon. Winx had six different riders during her illustrious career that netted more than $26m in prizemoney before her retirement in April 2019, but she will forever be associated with Bowman and champion Sydney trainer Chris Waller. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Harley's JJ Atkins victory – which broke a 10-year drought since his last Group 1 – was just reward for his hard work, dedication and persistence after overcoming a potentially career-threatening broken neck suffered in a sickening mid-week race fall in 2023. 'The real exciting thing about having a serious injury two years ago to even being not sure if I'd ride again and then for him to do what he did and put me back on the Group 1 map, in a way he certainly has changed my life in different avenues,' Harley said. 'A lot of jockeys can win if they get the right animal but when you stumble across a horse like that, it could be real life-changing moving forward. 'Look at the Winx story regarding Hugh Bowman. And I'm not saying it'll be like that but he could be an Everest horse and (owner) Max Whitby obviously has a slot. 'There could be serious potential going forward so I'll keep my fingers crossed and we'll take it from there. To live the dream like that would be unbelievable.' • Beriman's appeal for concussion protocols to be strengthened Whitby has declared that Cool Archie should be a shoo-in for Australian Two Year Old of the Year honours during a gala ceremony in Brisbane on August 31. 'I would definitely agree and not just because I've been riding him,' Harley said. 'For a horse to go from a maiden to a Group 1 winner in the space of two months - over all different distances and kinds of tracks - he has conquered more than any other two-year-old in Australia this year.' The father-and-son Munce partnership has said that Cool Archie would be spelled for the spring and set for next autumn's $4m Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick. It comes after a gruelling winter campaign in which the colt embarked on an incredible five-race winning streak in all conditions. Martin Harley steers Cool Archie home in the Group 1 JJ Atkins at Eagle Farm. Picture: Grant Peters / Trackside Photography • Rutledge's 'omen' win on The Irish written in the stars While Cool Archie is resting, a recharged Harley will be coming down from cloud nine to reset for the 2025-26 racing season in Brisbane which starts on Friday. Looking at the bigger picture, the affable Irishman hopes to travel interstate this spring carnival for a few feature races after proving he can handle the pressure of riding in majors. 'Sydney and Melbourne are tough, there are a lot of good jockeys there, but I'll be putting my hand up for a few rides down south if I can get them,' he said. 'You can get brought back to earth pretty quickly in this game but we showed them we can score at the top level and can get the job done in high-pressure races. 'But I'm definitely not getting too far ahead of myself. I had five Group 1 winners that came pretty quick and then it took another 10 years to crack it for my other one (in the JJ Atkins).' Jockey Martin Harley. Picture: Grant Peters / Trackside Photography • 'This isn't a novelty': Female hoops set up for success In the meantime, Harley can look back at that memorable day on June 14 when his dream of finally winning a Group 1 in Australia became reality. 'I went into the jockeys' room that day and I can honestly tell you, there wasn't one jockey who begrudged me the win,' he said. 'They were that happy for me and that made me even more proud.' Originally published as Rejuvenated Martin Harley hopes gun colt Cool Archie will define his career
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Travolta caps big day out for Collett and Waller on final Saturday
Travolta stormed down the outside fence to win the last at Randwick and cap a satisfying finish to Saturday racing for jockey Jason Collett and premier Sydney trainer Chris Waller. The $10 Sportsbet chance held off stablemate Pure Alpha by just over a length to win the 1800m benchmark 78 handicap for colts, gelding and entires, giving Collett four victories on the card and Waller a double. Collett went to outright second on the Sydney jockeys' premiership on 71, four ahead of Zac Lloyd (67), with one midweek meeting remaining in the season. James McDonald (83) has wrapped up a seventh consecutive title. Collett, who claimed a first Doncaster Mile on Stefi Magnetica this season, also won on Nashville Jack, Regimental Colours and Oh Diamond Lil on Saturday. 'The Donnie was great, I think I've had just under 20 stakes winners, and I'm really proud of the season I've had,' Collett said. 'I've got to sit on some great horses and it just keeps building nicely. I love what I do and I'm fortunate I have a job I enjoy.' Waller earlier won with Cigar Flick ($12), which swooped down the outside from near-last under Tommy Berry to take out the benchmark 88 handicap (1100m) by just over a length from World Alliance. 'She's a frustrating horse, but she tries her hardest,' Waller said. 'She's going well, but she's reached her level, so it's not easy to win. She needs everything to flow, she needs to come into the race at the right, the right track conditions, and today it was.'
The Age
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
Travolta caps big day out for Collett and Waller on final Saturday
Travolta stormed down the outside fence to win the last at Randwick and cap a satisfying finish to Saturday racing for jockey Jason Collett and premier Sydney trainer Chris Waller. The $10 Sportsbet chance held off stablemate Pure Alpha by just over a length to win the 1800m benchmark 78 handicap for colts, gelding and entires, giving Collett four victories on the card and Waller a double. Collett went to outright second on the Sydney jockeys' premiership on 71, four ahead of Zac Lloyd (67), with one midweek meeting remaining in the season. James McDonald (83) has wrapped up a seventh consecutive title. Collett, who claimed a first Doncaster Mile on Stefi Magnetica this season, also won on Nashville Jack, Regimental Colours and Oh Diamond Lil on Saturday. 'The Donnie was great, I think I've had just under 20 stakes winners, and I'm really proud of the season I've had,' Collett said. 'I've got to sit on some great horses and it just keeps building nicely. I love what I do and I'm fortunate I have a job I enjoy.' Waller earlier won with Cigar Flick ($12), which swooped down the outside from near-last under Tommy Berry to take out the benchmark 88 handicap (1100m) by just over a length from World Alliance. 'She's a frustrating horse, but she tries her hardest,' Waller said. 'She's going well, but she's reached her level, so it's not easy to win. She needs everything to flow, she needs to come into the race at the right, the right track conditions, and today it was.'
Herald Sun
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Chris Munce makes big call to miss spring carnival with gun colt Cool Archie
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Chris Munce has made the call to skip the spring carnival with his exceptional young Group 1-winning colt Cool Archie, with exciting dreams of next year's Group 1 Doncaster Mile potentially in mind. Cool Archie took the Queensland winter carnival by storm, winning five races on the bounce culminating in the Group 1 JJ Atkins. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The young colt showed amazing versatility, winning on wet and dry tracks and races from 1000m to 1600m, and he would be a great pick to score Australian 2YO horse of the year honours. Cool Archie could have been a major spring carnival player in elite three-year-old races but Munce, who co-trains with his son Corey, has made the call to opt out of the spring. Munce had been contemplating resting Cool Archie from the spring for several weeks, but said he had not made the definitive call until now. He is wary the young colt had a bumper 2024/25 season, with a five-race winter carnival mission and also a summer campaign when he raced in the Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January. • Truck-driving hobby trainer sets sights on Sydney first Munce, the legendary former jockey turned trainer, said he will most likely bring Cool Archie back for a couple of runs in the summer and then the autumn carnival. The prestigious Doncaster Mile could be a target. 'I'm mindful that he has had a long two-year-old campaign and I don't think I should be rushing him back just because it's the spring carnival,' Munce said. 'He will probably only have a couple of runs over the summer and concentrate more on the autumn. 'We would look at a race like the Doncaster, if he is going well enough, three-year-old horses have a good record in it. • 'Took my breath away': How Angela Jones wowed Gai Waterhouse 'Realistically, I think this could be what works for him. 'My heart is in the position where I just want to look after him for the moment, considering he did such a good job over the winter and he had some pretty hard runs. 'Not only that, but he had been campaigning for the Magic Millions, which then rolled into the winter. 'The horse has always looked to be like he is going to be a better three-year-old anyway.' JJ Atkins winner Cool Archie won't be seen this spring. Picture: Trackside Photography Given Cool Archie's stunning CV, Munce believes the dynamic colt should be strongly considered for Australian 2YO horse of the year honours. 'I think if they (judges) are fair dinkum, he has to be,' Munce said. • 'What a thrill': Husband-wife team lands historic win in Ramornie 'It's been a long time, probably since the likes of a horse like Dance Hero, since a two-year-old has been as dominant as Cool Archie has been. 'I'm not saying he is the same as Dance Hero. 'But what I am saying is this season, he has probably been the dominant two-year-old. 'How many other two-year-olds this season have won five consecutive races on different surfaces, different conditions and different distances? 'He's gone from a maiden to a Group 1.' Originally published as Chris Munce will rest Cool Archie during spring for possible tilt at the Group 1 Doncaster Mile next year
News.com.au
18-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Chris Munce will rest Cool Archie during spring for possible tilt at the Group 1 Doncaster Mile next year
Chris Munce has made the call to skip the spring carnival with his exceptional young Group 1-winning colt Cool Archie, with exciting dreams of next year's Group 1 Doncaster Mile potentially in mind. Cool Archie took the Queensland winter carnival by storm, winning five races on the bounce culminating in the Group 1 JJ Atkins. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The young colt showed amazing versatility, winning on wet and dry tracks and races from 1000m to 1600m, and he would be a great pick to score Australian 2YO horse of the year honours. Cool Archie could have been a major spring carnival player in elite three-year-old races but Munce, who co-trains with his son Corey, has made the call to opt out of the spring. Munce had been contemplating resting Cool Archie from the spring for several weeks, but said he had not made the definitive call until now. He is wary the young colt had a bumper 2024/25 season, with a five-race winter carnival mission and also a summer campaign when he raced in the Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January. • Munce, the legendary former jockey turned trainer, said he will most likely bring Cool Archie back for a couple of runs in the summer and then the autumn carnival. The prestigious Doncaster Mile could be a target. What a run, what a horse â�ï¸� Cool Archie takes out the G1 Ladbrokes JJ Atkins for Team Munce & Martin Harley ðŸ'� — Ladbrokes Australia (@ladbrokescomau) June 14, 2025 'I'm mindful that he has had a long two-year-old campaign and I don't think I should be rushing him back just because it's the spring carnival,' Munce said. 'He will probably only have a couple of runs over the summer and concentrate more on the autumn. 'We would look at a race like the Doncaster, if he is going well enough, three-year-old horses have a good record in it. • 'Realistically, I think this could be what works for him. 'My heart is in the position where I just want to look after him for the moment, considering he did such a good job over the winter and he had some pretty hard runs. 'Not only that, but he had been campaigning for the Magic Millions, which then rolled into the winter. 'The horse has always looked to be like he is going to be a better three-year-old anyway.' Given Cool Archie's stunning CV, Munce believes the dynamic colt should be strongly considered for Australian 2YO horse of the year honours. 'I think if they (judges) are fair dinkum, he has to be,' Munce said. 'It's been a long time, probably since the likes of a horse like Dance Hero, since a two-year-old has been as dominant as Cool Archie has been. 'I'm not saying he is the same as Dance Hero. 'But what I am saying is this season, he has probably been the dominant two-year-old. 'How many other two-year-olds this season have won five consecutive races on different surfaces, different conditions and different distances? 'He's gone from a maiden to a Group 1.'
