3 minute read
Hitting the 200-win mark on Friday seems to have spurred jockey Alan Munro on to more success as he went on to ride a treble at Kranji two days later.
The low-key but talented jockey is not one to fuss over such records, preferring to look forward to the next winning ride, but was certainly happy with his current strike rate.
With his three wins aboard No Smoking Jeff, Excellent Magic and Mac Volks, the English Derby-winning jockey has struck the dozen of wins to leap over Corey Brown and sit third behind Manoel Nunes.
Munro, who has been riding at Kranji since 2011 and reached his 200th win milestone with Bring Money Home on Friday night, typically played down the good day at the office by saying it was all down to luck.
“Very happy with the way things have worked out today. I was just lucky, especially with the third winner (Mac Volks), we had a bit of luck in that race,” he said.
“(Mohd) Yusof is a smart trainer and had the first winner (No Smoking Jeff) fit and ready for that first win and (Hideyuki) Takaoka’s horse (Excellent Magic) is just a nice horse.
“He’s a strong speedy type and a good attacking horse. He got pushed out a little by the other horse (Rio De Janeiro), but he fought back to win.
“He’s still a colt but he’s very mature and professional.”
Takaoka agreed that the Australian-bred son of Magic Albert does not belong to the “coltish” stereoptype.
“He’s a very calm horse, but at the same time, he doesn’t show much in his work,” said the Japanese handler.
“I thought he was just average but he won a nice race today. It was his third run for us, but I think he needs more runs to improve further.”
Excellent Magic ($16) sports the same colours (Suzuka Racing Stable) that not too long ago shone for one of Takaoka’s best racehorses, champion mare Better Life.
