Trainer Chris Munce has shown his faith in stable apprentice Justin Huxtable by entrusting him with the ride on Boomnova in the $500,000 2YO The Jewel at the Gold Coast.
It would not be a feature race day at the Gold Coast without Munce taking a major hand and he will also saddle Stampe in the $300,000 3YO Jewel 3Y0 on Saturday.
As a multiple Group One-winning jockey Munce dominated big days at the Gold Coast, winning almost every feature race including a record three Magic Millions Classics at the track.
He has carried on as a trainer with his major wins including the Magic Millions Guineas with Boomsara.
It puts him in a prime position to judge jockeys and he believes Huxtable has what it takes to ride in big races.
Huxtable, who is one of the tallest jockeys in Australia, been with Munce since last September after moving from South Australia.
He has ridden 148 winners including 10 in Queensland.
“My stable supports him but for some reason he struggles to get outside rides,” Munce said.
“He is a hard worker and still has a two kilo claim in the metropolitan area. Justin won on my filly Buckets of Pride at Doomben recently and it was a very good effort.
“I have no hesitation in putting him on in a $500,000 race because he is level-headed and doesn’t panic.
“Justin has done a lot of work with Boomnova and rode her when she won a trial.”
Boomnova is the only first starter in the field but Munce has a big opinion of her.
He went to $110,000 for the daughter of Spirit of Boom at the Magic Millions Yearling Sales last year.
“She was a lovely type out of a Canadian Silver mare which is where her grey colouring comes from,” he said.
Munce’s wife Cathy heads the syndicate which races Boomnova and she will also be looking for another big Gold Coast win.
Cathy Munce part-owned Brave Warrior who won the 1994 Magic Millions Classic.
The trainer has also been pleased iwth the progress Stampe has made in the lead-up to the Jewel 3YO.
“He won well two starts back and then his third in the Jewel Prelude at his last start was good as well,” Munce said.
“He is fourth-up here and spot-on for Saturday. It is a very strong race but he will be there at the finish.”
Munce believes Stampe might measure up to some of the black-type races in the winter.
