Gerringong ready for The Invitation

By Glenn Davis

Father-and-son training partners Chris and Corey Munce are hoping to kick another goal for some former rugby league greats in the Group 2 The Invitation at Randwick on Saturday.

Gerringong made a brilliant return to racing by winning the Group 3 The Nivison at Rosehill on October 10 when ridden by Tyler Schiller, but will have a new rider for her assignment in the 1400 metre The Invitation.

“Nash Rawiller will ride her this week as he does a lot of riding for John Singleton,” co-trainer Corey Munce said. 

“Tyler did a great job on her, but Nash can ride her weight this time.”

Singleton’s Strawberry Hill syndicate shares in Gerringong’s ownership group along with former rugby league icon Mick Cronin and his old Parramatta teammates Bob O’Reilly and Peter Wynn.

Former league players Phil Sigsworth, Col Murphy and Barry Wood, who played for Sydney’s Newtown Jets, are also part-owners.

“It would be great if we can kick another goal for her owners who are all football mates,” Corey Munce said.

The five-year-old mare has had 17 starts for three wins and seven placings, including her recent success in The Nivison.

Corey Munce has no concerns with Gerringong stepping up to 1400 metres at only her second start this campaign.

“Going to 1400 metres won’t worry her,” Corey Munce said.

“She ran first-up last campaign over 1300 metres on a heavy track in the (Group 2) Dane Ripper and was only just beaten. She then stepped up to 1400 metres and was placed in the (Group 1) Tatt’s Tiara..”

Corey Munce was impressed with Gerringong’s gutsy win in The Nivison.

“She did it the hard way in The Nivison when she was caught three wide,” he said.

“She was then headed in the straight before she kicked back to win well.”

Meanwhile, Corey Munce said a decision was yet to be made on whether stablemate Brave Monarch would remain in Sydney.

Brave Monarch was beaten less than four lengths when seventh behind the Michael Freedman-trained Apocalyptic in the Listed Silver Eagle at Randwick last Saturday.

It was only the four-year-old’s second start this campaign after his first-up placing in the Listed Weetwood at Toowoomba last month.

“He ticked a few boxes and it was a good run in the Silver Eagle,” Corey Munce said.

“They were a bit sharp for him in the Silver Eagle and he’s looking for further.

“He’s nominated for the Golden Eagle and it’s still on the radar.

“It’s undecided at this stage if he’ll go there, but it’s not every day you get a chance to run in a $10 million race.”

The $10 million Group 1 Golden Eagle will be run over 1500 metres at Randwick on October 31.