Chris Munce’s affinity with the Magic Millions Carnival continued on Saturday when his progressive mare Poster Girl won the $250,000 Experience Gold Coast Magic Millions Rising Stars 3YO & 4YO Plate (1200m) at the Gold Coast.
Munce won several Magic Millions feature races as a jockey, including the 2YO Classic on Sunblazer, Accelerator and Dance Hero, and he is quickly building a strong CV as a trainer via a growing number of wins at the Carnival in partnership with his son Corey.
Poster Girl did it comfortably in Saturday’s race, tracking the favourite Southern Heiress before letting down with a sharp turn of speed inside the final 400m.
At the winning post, the daughter of Alabama Express had half a length to spare over Scripted, with a further half-length back to Yes Lulu in third.
Poster Girl was purchased for $160,000 from the Yulong draft at 2023 Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Gerard O’Toole and Arthur Hoyeau and is a three-quarter sister to stakes-placed Sketched being the best of three winners from well bred import Caricature (USA), an unraced half-sister by Dubawi to Group III winner City Style.
Yulong will offer 13 yearlings next weekby Alabama Express, best known as the sire of Champion 3YO Filly Treasurethe Moment.
Munce said the four-year-old, whose prizemoney and bonus tally soared beyond $1 million with the Rising Stars win, is a strong chance to back up in another Magic Millions feature race next Saturday.
“She’s been in good form all preparation,” Munce said.
“She won her first start carrying a big weight and then she won at Caloundra not long after that.
“I was a bit worried today thought because she was a bit sweaty and a bit stirred up but she put it into the race.
“She’s a beautiful mare and she was Stakes-placed as a two-year-old.
“She’ll probably back up now in the Fillies and Mares race next Saturday.
“It’s a terrific week for Queensland racing, there’s a lot of money involved and it’s like the spring in Melbourne.”
Winning jockey Martin Harley said he was confident pre-race and in the run that Poster Girl would be in the finish.
“Her work on Tuesday morning was fantastic,” Harley said.
“I got a lovely spot today following James (McDonald) and she let down very well.”
Chris and Corey Munce will saddle up unbeaten Hellbent colt Zip Lock as one of the key chances in next Saturday’s $3 million TAB Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
