Chris Munce is spoilt for choice in juvenile ranks this season with the likes of Wednesday’s Eagle Farm winner Sir Cass (Casino Prince).
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.
