Champion jockey Chris Munce added a fifth Brisbane Cup trophy to his cabinet when he guided tough Sydney stayer Tullamore to victory in the time-honoured event at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Munce reunited with his former boss Gai Waterhouse to guide Tullamore to a grinding victory in the $300,000 Group Two feature and ruin the hopes of favourite backers who took the short odds on runner-up Glass Harmonium.
Tullamore has taken out today's Brisbane Cup - Photo by Steve Hart
Munce won last year’s Cup on Crossthestart and his previous winners came on Grooming in 1992 and Desert Chill in 1995 and 1997.
Having his first ride on Tullamore, Munce followed Glass Harmonium throughout the race before he issued a challenge at the top of the straight.
Tullamore ($8) and Glass Harmonium ($1.75) settled down for a head and head battle for the length of the straight until Tullamore forged clear near the line to score a 1-1/4-length win.
Melbourne visitor De Fine Lago ($10) ran on well at his second Brisbane start to finish 1-3/4 lengths back third with Ironstein ($12) a half-length away fourth.
Munce said Tullamore overraced in the early stages but relaxed well when he got into his rhythm.
“If I had one concern it was that he was going a bit keenly for me,” he said.
“But he was very fit and I was confident he’d get past the other horse in the straight.
“It’s great to win another Brisbane Cup – that’s five wins in this race for me now and I hope there’s a few more to come.”
Tullamore is one of two horses Waterhouse has in Brisbane under the care of her travelling foreman David Meijer.
Meijer said his pre-race instructions to Munce were simple – ride him like a good thing.
“It was the old firm back together – Gai Waterhouse and Chris Munce – and I just told him to ride the horse with confidence,” Meijer said.
“Gai’s horses are so fit and he was too tough on the day.”
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