Birthday boy Chris Munce was experiencing a stellar day at Doomben on Saturday adding Cool Archie’s Group 2 BTC Spirit Of Boom Classic (1200m) victory to his earlier victory of Brookhaven in the Listed Bernborough Handicap (1600m) the race prior.
Trained in partnership with his son Corey, Cool Archie was a winner of the Listed Dalrello Stakes (1000m) the start prior, and although the 2yo colt was well supported in the Spirit Of Boom Classic, the race favourite was the Anthony & Sam Freedman trained Beksar (Snitzel) who had not been seen since his third in the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes behind the Farnan quinella of North England and King Of Pop.
Settling in the middle of the pack under jockey Martin Harley, Cool Archie looked as if he may not get the run he needed just as the Hawkes Racing trained Gallo Nero (Wootton Bassett) was charging down the outside and looking a winning chance.
Finally securing the gap, Cool Archie burst through before Gallo Nero and the well-supported Grafterburners (Graft) joined in as the trio charged towards the finishing post.
As the line was reached, Cool Archie held a winning margin over Gallo Nero who doesn’t look too far off securing his own black type win, while Grafterburners became the first black type performer for his Kitchwin Hills based sire when finishing third.
“It’s onto the Sires next and then the JJ Atkins. I’ll have to have a chat with Martin to see if we take the blinkers off. He’s a really nice colt, you wouldn’t think he’s a colt because he’s so laid-back and casual. He’s got a heart as big as he is, which is all you can ask for,” said Munce.
“He surprised Martin, every time he gallops him he gives him a pat, which is how I know Martin likes a horse. He keeps stepping up and impressing Martin with his work.”
Harley, who has ridden Cool Archie in his last six starts will be looking to continue his winning association with the colt.
“That felt pretty special. He’s a horse we hold in high regard, he travelled smoothly today and luckily I couldn’t get there too soon because there were horses in front of me. He wanted to go through the gap and showed a great will to win,” stared Harley post-race.
“He had match fitness on his side, and when he let down he was very determined which is a pretty good sign. I don’t know if he’ll run out a strong mile, but I’ll leave that to the team.”
Purchased by Mick Malone Bloodstock from the Magic Millions Yearling Sale draft of Newhaven Park for $100,000, the promising juvenile takes his earnings just over $400,000 from his seven career starts for owner Whitby Bloodstock Pty Ltd.
Cool Archie is the best of five winners from six to race for Aware (Tale Of The Cat), a winning daughter of three-time stakes winner, and multiple Group 1place Media (Gilded Time).
Set to stand the upcoming breeding season at a fee of $16,500 (inc. GST) at the Kelly’s Newhaven Park Stud, Cool Aza Beel is the sire of three first crop winners to date including the stakes performed Cobra Club.
