Chris Munce knows what it takes to win a Melbourne Cup and he believes English Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck fits the bill.
Munce landed the 1998 Melbourne Cup aboard Jezabeel, who was sensationally backed from $9 into $7 favouritism with media mogul Kerry Packer leading the charge against the bookies.
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After looking beaten in the straight, Jezabeel fought back bravely to edge out fellow New Zealander Champagne to win by a neck in a gripping finish.
Munce believes Anthony Van Dyck can add the Melbourne Cup to his CV which also includes last year’s English Derby.
The entire is second favourite at $8.50 with TAB Fixed Odds to win on Tuesday after finishing runner-up to Verry Elleegant in the Caulfield Cup.
“I think his run in the Caulfield Cup was as good a trial as you’d want to see anywhere,” Munce said.
“I know everyone dismisses that sort of flashing run but I just felt he had a few things against him with a wide run but he just kept powering to the line under pressure.
“He looks like a horse looking for Flemington, looking for a big track and looking for two miles so he’s my selection that I’d like to be riding if I was in the Cup this year.”
Munce is one of a select group of jockeys to ride the winners of Australian racing’s coveted grand slam of Group One races – the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Golden Slipper.
In addition to his Cup triumph aboard Jezabeel, he won the Caulfield Cup aboard Descarado, rode Savabeel to victory in the Cox Plate as well as Dance Hero and Prowl in the Golden Slipper.
