Munce to create history if Palaisipan wins the Tatt's Tiara

By Glenn Davis

Chris Munce’s race riding days are long gone but as a trainer he’s hoping to relive one of his famous Group 1 victories in the Tatt’s Tiara at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Munce will saddle up Palaisipan in the last Group 1 of the season in the Tatt’s Tiara over 1400 metres.

Munce will create history if Palaisipan is successful by becoming the first to win the race as both a jockey and a trainer since the race was first run in 1989.

Munce won the Tatt’s Tiara aboard Graeme’s Begg’s former top mare Bonanova in 2000 when she became the race’s first and only dual winner following her victory the previous year for hoop Jim Cassidy.

Palaisipan was an eye-catching fourth in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap on June 10 when the rising six-year-old was beaten just over two lengths by the Joe Pride-trained Think About It.

Munce also has Aureus Angel entered for the Tatt’s Tiara but her hopes of making the field are remote after being named fifth emergency.

“Palaisipan’s run in the Stradbroke was terrific considering the hiccup we had with her in the Kingsford Smith at her previous start,” Munce said.

“According to her rider, Josh Parr, she got hit from the side and a pulled a shoe off.

“She didn’t get anything fitness wise out of the race and went into the Stradbroke virtually missing a run.

“It probably cost her the race.”

Munce believes the Tatt’s Tiara could be Palaisipan’s swansong before she heads to the broodmare barn.

“She’s rising six so I suspect this could well be her last run,” he said.

Had Aureus Angel made the field, Munce was prepared to overlook the major fancies, including favourite Opal Ridge, as threats to Palaisipan.

“I think Aureus Angel would have been more of a danger to Palaisipan than anything else,” he said.

“She only had to run up to her Dane Ripper performance to be right in the finish.”

A member of the Grand Slam winning club as a jockey, Munce is chasing his first win at the highest level as a trainer.

Munce has booked Kyle Wilson-Taylor to ride Palaisipan who drew barrier 16 but comes into 12 without the emergencies.