Cool Archie confirmed himself as one of Australia’s best juveniles and assured himself a lucrative stud future with a sensational win in Saturday’s $1 million Gr1 JJ Atkins Stakes run over a mile at Eagle Farm.
One of the toughest and most talented young gallopers around, Cool Archie made it four straight wins when he scored by a length and a quarter.
The locally prepared juvenile was sent out an easing A$4.80 second favourite and after sitting closer than his previous few runs he was able to burst clear in the home straight.
Despite being left in front a long way from home the youngster was too tough, easily holding out his southern state rivals.
Martin Harley celebrates his first Gr1 win as Cool Archie shows his class (Pic – Magic Millions)
The colt’s last four wins have come at stakes level – first in a listed over 1000, then a pair of Group Twos at 1200 and 1400 metres and now today’s elite level success over 1600 metres. He’s won on tracks from a good 4 to a heavy 10. Mr Versatile indeed.
In the summer Cool Archie was second in a Group Three BJ McLachlan Classic before finishing midfield in the A$3 million The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic (RL).
“Oh, what about that? So good, so good,” a proud co-trainer Chris Munce said. “I was saying before it’s not just about Corey and me, it’s the whole team, the staff, and I don’t think Martin (Harley, jockey) has had enough recognition either, the whole way along. He’s five from five.”
“When you put a rider like Martin on, you’ve got so much confidence. He walked the track yesterday.”
“He told us exactly how he was going to ride the horse. He knew they weren’t making ground, so we had to ride him a little bit out of his comfort zone, but what a win.”
A former champion jockey, Chris Munce shares a training partnership with his son Corey who was beaming from the enclosure.
“I’m a little speechless, as you’d probably expect,” Corey said. “But I’ll try and keep it together.”
“I felt very comfortable throughout the run, actually. I said (during the race) we’re right here, and if he’s good enough he can win.”
“That was a bit of the worry, he’d come from a long way back the other day from an awkward draw and we were just hoping from a slightly better draw he was that touch closer, and it worked out beautifully today.”
The colt also put away any doubts that he was just a wet-tracker following his previous start romp in the A$1 million BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes on a heavy track.
“As we said before the race, people had their doubts on his heavy track form, but he’s as effective,” Corey Munce added.
Cool Archie joined the Munce stable after being purchased by Mick Malone for his good mate and client Max Whitby for A$100,000 at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
He was plucked from the Newhaven Park draft. His earnings have now shot to over $1.6 million and his stud value many times that.
The win was the first at Group One level for former star international rider Martin Harley and it was also perfectly timed.
“I think the horse has done most of the talking,” Harley pointed out. “He’s taken a big step forward each run and that’s what the good ones do.”
“But to transform from a heavy 10 to a good 4 there today, which I knew he would handle, I never had any doubt in that. But what a superstar he is.”
“I just watched the previous races. I trusted my horse to pick up real good, but nothing’s been making up bundles of ground, so I wanted to try and sit that pair or two closer today.”
“Got a lovely spot, good rhythm and I ended up getting there too soon but he’s got a good will to win, and he wanted it.”
“Chris hasn’t given me any instructions any time I’ve ridden this horse. He’s been there, he’s been a good jockey before, and he probably knows that less is the better for us.”
“Big thanks to Chris and Corey and the family and Team Munce. It’s been a fantastic story, and I don’t think it’s finished yet.”
“I’m on a plane tonight going back for Royal Ascot. And I might fly that plane myself tonight after that,” Harley added with a laugh.
Cool Archie the stand out member so far for the first crop of former outstanding New Zealand juvenile Cool Aza Beel.
A son of Savabeel, Cool Aza Beel won the Group One Diamond Stakes and was crowned the Champion Two-Year-Old of New Zealand for Te Akau Racing in 2019-20.
He is now a resident of Newhaven Park, the breeder of Cool Archie. He is standing this spring at a fee of A$16,500 (inc GST).
Cool Archie is from the three time winner Aware – a daughter of Tale of the Cat and the Group Two winning and Group One placed mare Media.
Aware is the dam of six winners from six to race. Her daughter Mercurial Lady (So You Think) won at Ballarat yesterday for Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman by seven lengths.
- Winner: Cool Archie
- Breeding: Cool Aza Beel-Aware (Tale of the Cat)
- Race: BRC JJ Atkins Stakes Gr1 (1600m)
- Sold for:A $100,000
- Sale: 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
- Earnings: A$1,603,900
- Breeder: Newhaven Park Stud
- Vendor: Newhaven Park
- Buyer: Mick Malone Bloodstock
- Owners: Whitby Bloodstock Pty Ltd (Mgr: MJ Whitby)
- Trainers: Chris & Corey Munce (Eagle Farm).
