Brisbane’s leading jockey Chris Munce may gain the key ride of Dowager Queen during the Flemington Spring Carnival through an old acquaintance.
The Graeme Rogerson trained filly will contest the $302,000 Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) on Saturday at Flemington before the $1m Crown Oaks (2500m) at Flemington on November 3.
Presently the in-form jockey Craig Williams holds the ride on Dowager Queen but is fighting a suspension for a careless riding charge on The Red Emperor at Bendigo yesterday.
Williams will front the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board tomorrow morning but if unsuccessful will forfeit his rides after Saturday’s Derby day at Flemington.
Munce’s greatest triumph, the 1998 Melbourne Cup win on Jezabeel was for owner Max Whitby who along with Rogerson own Dowager Queen.
The three men teamed up to win the 2004 Cox Plate on Savabeel who is the sire of Dowager Queen.
Munce last season’s top jockey in Brisbane has been riding with regular success having had a city winner at each Brisbane city meeting, except for two meets, since the start of the season.
And the Flemington carnival appears to be warming for Munce with his Melbourne Cup ride Tullamore looking more than likely to gain a spot in the big race on Tuesday.
The Luca Cumani yard have indicated they will scratch Sahara Sun from the Melbourne Cup thus promoting Tullamore into the field from 25th in the Cup order to 24th.
Horses beneath Tullamore in the order could get above him if they win either the Lexus Stakes or Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.
Those below Tullamore entered on Saturday in the Lexus are GreenMoon (35th), Moyenne Corniche (27th), Niwot (34th), Galizani (39th), Raffaello (42nd), Showcause (37th), Macedonian (38th), Midnight Martini (43rd), Spechenka (36th) Anudjuwan (40th) Reprisal (46).
The Verminator is the lone horse in the Mackinnon Stakes trying to jump into the Melbourne Cup, he is presently 26thnin the order of entry.
Munce, via agent Garry Legg, has also secured the ride on Red Tracer in the $1m Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 5.