Cool Archie is poised to chase Queensland’s most prestigious two-year-old title as he looks to stretch his winning streak to five in the Group 1 JJ Atkins Stakes (1600m) at Eagle Farm this Saturday.
Corey Munce, who officially joined his father Chris as co-trainer in August 2023, has seen the pair quickly enjoy success, largely thanks to the exploits of Cool Archie. Their standout colt has already secured victories in the Group 2 Spirit Of Boom Classic (1200m) and Group 2 BRC Sires Produce (1400m).
The colt was particularly dominant in his Sires win on May 31, finishing 2.8 lengths ahead after making his run from the back of the field. Corey Munce is confident his colt is ready for the mile test this weekend.
“He’s cool as a cucumber,” Munce said.
“He’s come through the run pretty well. He was a little tired Sunday, but he’s rebounded off the run as well as we’d like.
“Considering the run he had, he’s done a really good job.”
Cool Archie, sired by Cool Aza Beel—a son of Savabeel—has shown every sign that he’ll handle the 1600m without any issues.
“Zero problems there, and he’s probably almost run a mile with the work he’s done so no concerns in that regard,” Munce said.
“The blinkers will remain off, and you know gee whiz, he’s a versatile little horse; he can be ridden very cold, he can be up there, and he can be midfield or better, so he’s a very versatile and honest horse.”
With barrier 9 of 17, Cool Archie finds himself centrally drawn, which should give the team plenty of tactical flexibility on the day. Munce believes the colt is still building in fitness and performance.
“We wouldn’t have run him in the Magic Millions in January as a maidener for nothing,” Munce said.
“He was wide throughout that run, and I think with a better barrier draw, the old cliche, he certainly finishes a lot closer.
“After the summer carnival, he only had about four or five weeks out and come straight back to attack the winter.
“He was one that just kept improving.”
If successful, Cool Archie will become only the fifth horse in history to complete the Sires/Atkins double—a feat most recently accomplished by Broadsiding.
He currently sits at $3.50 in the market, just ahead of Chris Waller’s Hidden Achievement, who is listed at $4.80 and has drawn barrier six.
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