Chris Munce is spoilt for choice in juvenile ranks this season with the likes of Wednesday’s Eagle Farm winner Sir Cass.
The Casino Prince youngster got off the canvas for a courageous victory on debut in the New Year’s Eve Raceday Maiden (1200m). He fought back for Larry Cassidy after being headed in the straight to score by a short-neck over Soul Secrets.
“It is not often two-year-olds can win first-up at 1200 metres,” Munce said. “He had to do it the hard way with no cover.”
Munce has trained a half-dozen juvenile winners this season with Ours To Keep & Champ Elect leading the posse towards the Magic Millions 2YO Classic, however, Sir Cass is ineligible for the $2 million sales-related race and it would have come too early, anyway.
Vinery Stud stallion Casino Prince sired him from 1600m winner Petroica (Anabaa). There’s more stamina through her half-brother Mustaagel (LR Murray Bridge Cup) and a half-sister who foaled Casino Prince stayer Star Rolling (G2 P B Lawrence Stakes).
Sir Cass was bred by GSA Bloodstock’s Jonathon Munz and cost $55,000 at the 2016 Inglis Classic Sale. Munce also paid $100,000 for a Casino Prince – Purple Vein (Fastnet Rock) colt at the Magic Millions 2YO Sale in October.
Casino Prince was Australia’s Champion first-season sire in 2011-12 and he came close to more juvenile black-type last month when the first starter from his latest crop – Mikuni – was runner-up in the LR Merson-Cooper Stakes at Sandown.