The blow of losing Cool Archie from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic picture has been eased for Chris and Corey Munce after Zip Lock delivered a timely win at Eagle Farm.
Previously rated an $11 hope for the $3 million feature on January 17, Zip Lock has surged into $7 following his victory in the Group 3 B.J. McLachlan Stakes (1200m).
Resuming after a six-week break following a debut win in November, Zip Lock ($3.20) proved too strong, accounting for short-priced favourite Tornado Valley ($1.80F), who endured a tough run three-wide from just worse than midfield.
“Credit to the horse after that freshen-up,” Chris Munce said.
“He had the trial the other day and he improved enormously off it. I guess we head to the Millions now.
“I said to owners that I wasn’t going to put a lot of emphasis on the Magic Millions because I had a lot of time for him.
“I thought he was going to be a winter two-year-old and a lovely three-year-old.”
Munce was also pleased to see jockey Justin Huxtable rewarded with the Group success.
“I think this was good for Justin,” Munce said.
“He’s been with our stable for a long time and he is a tall lad and he doesn’t ride too many bad ones.”
Purchased for $160,000 at the 2025 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Zip Lock now joins Coolangatta (2021) and Storm Boy (2023) as recent winners of this race to go on and claim Magic Millions glory.
Tornado Valley drifted from $6 to $9 for the 2026 Magic Millions following the defeat, while Bjorn Baker’s Warwoven remains the current $3 favourite.
Magic Millions markets and updated odds can be found via the Australian betting sites list.