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Brisbane-based jockey Chris Munce, called up at the last minute to replace the injured Jim Cassidy, made the most of the opportunity to win the $100,000 McNamee Constructions Mona Lisa at Wyong on Friday.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Cassidy hurt his hand in a barrier trial last Friday and stood down after one ride at Canterbury last Wednesday.
Waterhouse called on Munce, previously one of her stable riders, down from Queensland where he is now the leading rider to ride her in form mare Sweet Melody.
Munce allowed the the Gooree Stud-owned mare to settle in second position behind the leader Delzera until nearing the turn.
He shot to the lead and safely held the favourite Red Tracer to record her third successive win this campaign and her first in a stakes race.
“Wyong probably suited my mare better than Red Tracer,” Munce said.
“I was able to control the pace and she kicked off the corner and sprinted well.
“She has held her form well and it is nice to win another race for Gai and for Gooree.”
Waterhouse was not at the meeting but her foreman Ranjeet Singh said it was likely that Sweetest Melody would now go on to the Tibbie Stakes at the Newcastle Cup carnival.
“She is a very strong mare and we were confident going into the race,” Singh said.
“You have to be confident with a mare of her quality.”
It was a welcome return to Wyong for Munce, once a regular rider on the track.
“It must be 12 or 18 months since I last rode here,” Munce said.
“I still remembered my way around the track. It's like riding a bike.”
Trainer Chris Waller said Hugh bowman had turned in a 9.5 out of 10 ride on Red Tracer.
“You can't win them but I thought she ran really well,” Waller said.
“She will probably go straight to the Epsom Handicap without another run.”