By Glenn Davis
Trainer Chris Munce is hopeful talented three-year-olds Skate To Paris and Johnny Whitesox can lay the platform for a big Brisbane winter carnival at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
Skate To Paris faces her moment of truth when she tackles the Listed Princess Stakes (1600m) while Johnny Whitesox returns in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Plate (1200m).
Skate To Paris has finished second at her past three starts including her latest effort on a heavy track at the Gold Coast on March 31 while Johnny Whitesox ran a tidy fourth to Sista Act in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Jewel at the same track on March 17.
Skate To Paris, a daughter of Bradbury’s Luck, has one win from 10 starts but has been in the runner’s up stall six times while Johnny Whitesox is a son of renowned wet track sire Show A Heart and has three wins and two seconds from seven starts.
While both have been in work for some time, Munce is hopeful the pair will make their mark during the winter.
“They have been up a while but they’ve been racing well and deserve a chance at the better winter races if they’re still around,” Munce said.
Skate To Paris will be reunited with former South African rider Ron Stewart after Darryl McLellan was aboard at the Gold Coast last outing.
“It’s her first go at 1600 metres and it’s unchartered territory for her,” Munce said.
“But she gives every indication she’ll run the trip as she’s been very strong at the end of her races.
“She’s definitely one of the main chances in the Princess Stakes.”
Munce has his reservations whether Skate To Paris will emerge as a Queensland Oaks contender but is not ruling out the prospect.
“I wouldn’t say never as she’s got time to prove she can run in the Oaks but I’m more inclined to think she’s better around the 1600 metre mark,” he said.
“But if she can win over 1600 metres it opens up a whole lot of races for over during the winter.”
Munce has Group Two Queensland Guineas ambitions in mind with Johnny Whitesox who will be ridden by Matt McGillivray.
“It took him a while to get over his last run so he had a little break after it,” Munce said.
“He shows a lot of potential but he’s still a little immature and is still developing.
“At this stage I’m hoping he’ll go on to the Queensland Guineas.”
Racing Queensland webnews April 11