Corey Munce flying for Group 1 glory

By Jordan Gerrans

Corey Munce might just have the best of both worlds. 

When deciding on his career path, the Brisbane-based youngster has the option of being in the fast lane on two fronts. 

He could be flying planes through the sky or racing fast horses on the track. 

The speedy gallopers have taken precedence in recent times as he has gone into a training partnership with his father Chris. 

When asked to evaluate the thrill and excitement he gets when being involved in his two chosen vocations – Corey says nothing compares to the feeling of winning a race.

And, on Saturday afternoon, he might just taste victory at the highest level for the first time in his short training tenure when the Munces boom juvenile Cool Archie starts in the J.J. Atkins at Eagle Farm. 

“The thrill and excitement you get from working with horses, it is second to none,” Corey said.

“You cannot compare it to anything. Flying, that is more pleasurable and it could be a hobby for me.

“Working with the horses is so rewarding because you need to sacrifice your life for it, it is such a lifestyle thing.

“To see those horses race at their very best and get the results, that is the most rewarding part. 

"And, on top of that, I love winning.”

The 29-year-old is in his first season in a training partnership with his old man. 

Chris trained on his own for many years following a career in the saddle that saw him reach the greatest heights in the sport. 

While Corey grew up around the sport with his father riding at the highest level for decades, he initially didn’t dive headfirst into racing. 

Corey’s passion is aviation and flying. 

He completed all the relevant study and courses, which requires a strong background in mathematics and physics, to follow his dreams around the globe. 

It did not pan out how he would have hoped and suddenly Corey was back at Eagle Farm alongside his father and the rest of the Munce clan.

“For the life of me, all I ever wanted to do was fly planes, be an airline pilot and travel the world,” he said.

“I thought that would be a nice lifestyle, I could combine two passions into one.

“After I completed my commercial licence and all my flight training, I struggled to find a job.

“Any pilot will always tell you that your first job is always your hardest - I had no luck. 

“That opened up a door for me to work with the horses and I have never looked back since.”

As the horse commitments have increased, Corey says he has not flown a plane for some time but is keen to get back into the air as soon as possible.

For Chris to take on his son as a training partner is a big show of faith in the junior Munce. 

Chris’ resume in the riding ranks and now as a trainer is as star-studded as any going around. 

Corey says it is a humbling experience to be handed co-trainer status and says it is a pleasure working with his dad. 

With an array of black-type victories and Group 1-placing already during the winter carnival, Chris says the first season as a training team is working out swimmingly.

“He takes some of the pressure off my shoulders,” Chris said of Corey.

“He stays nice and calm which rubs off on me when I get a bit fired up. 

"We work well together.”

While Chris and Corey are front and centre as the co-trainers, they both say it is a team effort at the Munces with Cathy (Chris’ wife) and Caitlin (Chris’ daughter) also heavily involved.

Young colt Cool Archie has already delivered the team two Group 2 victories during the carnival and he goes searching for a Group 1 triumph on Saturday over a mile.

Cool Archie was still a maidener when he started his preparation in the middle of April and he might become an elite-level champion by the time Saturday afternoon rolls around.

“He has gone from strength to strength,” Corey said of Cool Archie.

“He was first-up on a heavy track over 1200 metres from a wide gate, it was not pretty but he got the job done, class prevailed.

“He has overcome certain obstacles like going back to 1000 metres after running at 1200 metres first-up.

"He had a tough win in the Spirit of Boom at Doomben and then he put in an unbelievable run in the Sires’ at his last start.”

Cool Archie has won his last four starts, with three of those being on heavy tracks.

He has drawn the nine alley for Saturday’s contest where he is a $3.60 favourite with the bookmakers as of Friday morning.

“We believe we have got the right horse to do it,” Corey said of winning a maiden Group 1 as a partnership.

“He still needs to turn up with his ‘A-game’ again on Saturday.

“He doesn’t look like he has had enough for the campaign yet, we haven’t seen those signs.

“The mile, I think, he can do, without a question.

“Hopefully he can have a more economical run in transit compared to his last few races.”

Cool Archie is raced by prominent owner and racing identity Max Whitby who praised the Munces efforts. 

“What a training performance,” Whitby said after a recent win.

“The boys have done a great job with this horse, I’m so proud of them.

“I think we might have a proper colt on our hands.”

The Munce barn will have two chances for Group 1 glory on Saturday when Payline runs in the Stradbroke Handicap.

Payline was an eye-catching third in the Doomben 10,000 two starts back and is a $34 chance in Queensland’s greatest race.

Corey says the handicap conditions of Saturday’s Stradbroke will be a benefit to Payline.