Cool Archie comes from nowhere to claim stunning victory in Group 2 BRC Sires' Produce Stakes
'I've got a stallion!'
They were the first words that beaming owner Max Whitby said to trainer Chris Munce as the dynamic duo teamed up again with crack colt Cool Archie, this time taking out the $1m Group 2 BRC Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at a sodden Eagle Farm.
They scored the rich victory in the nick of time, with jockeys post-race voting not to continue the double-pronged Group 1 meeting due to poor visibility.
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After snatching a powerful win from the jaws of defeat, when Cool Archie was at the back and with a wall of horses in front of him, there is little doubt prominent owner Whitby has a tantalising future breeding prospect on his hands.
But first things first and Cool Archie, who steamed through the saturated Eagle Farm track to score his fourth consecutive win, is the new $6 favourite for the Group 1 JJ Atkins on Stradbroke Handicap day in a fortnight.
Munce and his co-trainer son Corey have been telling anyone who will listen they have a top notch youngster on their hands.
Two-year-old Cool Archie could now even be powering past their own expectations.
Chris Munce, who has a decades-long friendship with Whitby stretching back to when he rode Savabeel to glory in the 2004 Cox Plate for the owner, was gobsmacked by the nature of the Sires' win.
A barnstorming win by Cool Archie in the G2 BRC Sires' Produce Stakes, and that's four in a row to the @munceracing galloper! 🙌 @BrisRacingClub pic.twitter.com/lIjGc5tTiN
â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025
The former champion jockey turned trainer thought the colt had blown his chances, being so far back in the field and having to pass so many others.
'I basically wrote him off at the half-mile to be honest, I thought he would need a miracle from where he was,' Munce said.
'I thought he was in an unwinnable position.
'When they all fanned and everything opened up, he was able to take advantage of it.
'This colt has certainly flown under the radar.
'His work on Tuesday morning was terrific, Martin (Harley) galloped him on Tuesday and couldn't have been more impressed with how he went.
'I think Martin wanted to save a bit of energy in the race today.
'He wasn't too fussed on getting in close to the rail which was probably a winning move.
'I just liked the way the horse kept coming, so the mile of the JJ Atkins is definitely not going to be an issue.'
Harley also had few doubts about the 1600m of the JJ Atkins being an concern for Cool Archie.
'As we knew, he wears his heart on his sleeve,' Harley said.
'He is improving run to run. He relaxed beautifully and had the will to win.'
Cool Archie was backed from $9 to $7 and beat runner-up Farnicle ($19) by almost three lengths and Call Da Vinci ($26) was third.
Fifth-placed Matt Dunn colt Torque To Be Sure was a terrific run for fifth and would have finished much closer on dry track.
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