Who is going to be in hot enough form to stop Cool Archie in the J J Atkins?
The Chris and Corey Munce trained colt has not only carried all before him since resuming in a humble Maiden on April 16, but his unbeaten, four race winning blitz over the last two months has been achieved in extraordinary fashion showing, more than once, a display of rare acceleration which carried him past some well performed runners in the home straight as if they were standing still.
For all of those four wins, which included two Group 2 successes in the Champagne Classic and the Sires Produce, as the Group 1 J J Atkins is run at set weights, Cool Archie comes into the race on the same weight terms relative to the opposition at which he has dominated before.
He has drawn midfield. He has regular pilot Martin Harley, who knows him so well, in the saddle, and his co-trainers Chris and Corey Munce are convinced the 1600m trip he will face for the first time in the J J Atkins poses absolutely no problem at all.
So, what can go wrong?
There are arguably two question marks in play.
The first point is the rating of the racing surface on race-day. Three of Cool Archie’s four race winning sequence came on heavy going … twice on a heavy 8 and once on a heavy 10.
There will be a change of surface on Saturday … most likely to soft going … and, while Cool Archie has won on good going as well, it remains to be seen whether Cool Archie is as effective away from the heavy going, particularly in relation to a number of his rivals who arguably did not relish the underfoot conditions when they last clashed.
Chances are he might just be the superior racehorse in terms of ability on any going.
The second point refers to the fact that Cool Archie has had four quite intense runs in the last two months with the question being … just how much those mighty efforts might have taken out of him.
Again, the chances are he might just have a superior constitution to match his superior ability.
Co-trainer Corey Munce addressed both of those questions.
“He came out of his last run pretty well,” said Munce. “It took a little bit out of him, but I’m extremely happy where the horse is this week.
‘Look, to answer the question about concerns of having one run too many, if there was any reason for him not to be going to the races, he wouldn’t be running. He as good as ever.
“In fact, he could be at an advantage because he goes into the race well-fit, whereas some of the others might be trying to catch up in terms of fitness.
“In terms of the track conditions, he galloped super on Tuesday with Martin (Harley) on board. He handled the track very well. Martin believes he is as effective … maybe more effective … on top of the ground, which is a little scary,” continued Munce.
“He’s got a slightly better draw this Saturday. There are some talented horses drawn inside of him. In these big races there is a little bit more pressure. Farnicle probably goes forward like he did last start. I’m hoping we can get to midfield or slighter better in the run. That would be perfect.
‘I’m also just hoping that the track races as well as we know it can, because I believe last week it was certainly suiting horses up on the speed.
“So long as he gets offered every opportunity there on Saturday, I’m sure he will race well.”
Questions asked and answered.
