'Team Munce' ready for Just Now test

By Glenn Davis

The training partnership of Chris and Corey Munce are hopeful Lonhro’s Queen can turn the tables on her sparring partner Midnight In Tokyo when the pair clash in the Just Now at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

The Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained Midnight In Tokyo is the favourite for the Listed feature after proving far too good in their first clash when she downed Lonhro’s Queen by nearly two lengths in the Listed Tatt’s Classic at Doomben last month.

“There’s a big turnaround in the weights which favour our mare,” co-trainer Corey Munce said. 

“Our main reservation is whether she can run out the 1300 metres.”

The five-year-old daughter of Lonhro is having only her fourth start for the Munce barn since being moved on from trainer Cameron Crockett.

She is yet to win past 1200 metres in three attempts. 

“Her last run suggests she should get the trip so we’re planning to ride her a bit quieter this time,” Corey said.

Regular rider Martin Harley, who has had a lot of success with the Munce stable, has retained the ride.

“Martin is our lucky jockey and he always makes good decisions,” Corey said.

“Her work on Tuesday morning was very good and Martin was impressed with her.

“She’s a promising mare who keeps improving.”

The Munce stable also had Poster Girl and Pierata’s Gem accepted for the Just Now but scratched both in favour of The Gateway over 1400 metres after both drew poorly.

“We had both in the Just Now until they drew bad, so they’re running in The Gateway,” Corey said.

“I think the market has it about right with both as Poster Girl is about a $13 chance and Pierata’s Gem is an outsider.”

Poster Girl is unbeaten in her two starts this campaign and is coming off a dominant win in a 1200 metre Benchmark race at the Sunshine Coast on November 22.

 Pierata’s Gem is third-up after finishing sixth in a 1200 metre Benchmark race at Doomben the following week.

“We can’t rule out either as a chance in this race,” Corey said.

“Poster Girl has two wins next to her name and is proven over the trip after we set her on a Queensland Oaks campaign last campaign.

“Martin Harley was happy with Poster Girl’s last run when she sat three wide the trip.”

The winner of The Gateway is guaranteed a start in the $3 million Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm in 2026.