Former UK and Hong Kong galloper Munhamek will be lining up for the 12th start of his Australian career when he heads to Bendigo on Saturday.
The seven-year-old has remained in work throughout his time at Nick Ryan’s Flemington stable and the Listed Golden Mile (1600m) on Saturday will be his first shot at Stakes company.
Munhamek started his time in Australia in a blaze of glory winning at Caulfield first-up in August and at Bendigo on Saturday will be looking to make it a hat-trick following wins at Flemington and Moonee Valley at his past two starts.
The gelding has finished further back than fifth just once in his previous 11 Australian starts when tenth over 1200m at Flemington in December.
Ryan said it was not surprising that Munhamek had continued to race well since joining his stable.
“He’s thriving in the stable environment which is probably something that he was used to in Hong Kong being in work a lot of the time,” Ryan said.
“He’s done an amazing job and just seems to be getting better and better.”
Ryan explained Munhamek does a lot of his work on the treadmill, heads to Altona beach on the ‘off’ days and has the occasional grass gallop thrown in as well.
“This whole prep he’s probably had a week down at St Leonard’s beach with Tom Sadler and that would be about it,” Ryan said.
“We just kid to him a bit, look after him. He’s an older horse, so it’s a matter of getting him fit and keeping him sound.”
Ryan does not see any reason why Munhamek cannot win again, or at the very least post another competitive performance.
“He’s shown no signs of training off,” Ryan said.
“He’s sound, he’s happy, he looks enormous in the coat. His bloods are good, his appetite is good.
“I cannot see any reason why he would not perform well again.”
