Munhamek Solidifies Status as Nick Ryan’s Standout Performer with Winter Championship Final Victory
(Flemington Racecourse, June 3, 2023) – In the highly anticipated $200,000 Listed Winter Championship Final held at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday, Munhamek solidified his position as the star of Nick Ryan’s training stable with a dominant victory.
The ageless gelding, now a rising nine-year-old, brought up a winning hat-trick by overcoming a wide run to score a commanding 1-3/4 length triumph. This performance further cements Munhamek’s status as one of the premier racehorses under Ryan’s tutelage.
“He’s taken the staff and the owners on a pretty good journey,” commented the former champion apprentice jockey turned highly respected trainer. “It’s a small barn, but to have a flagbearer like these horses who can go around every two weeks and win, keeping your name in lights, is good.”
Munhamek, a son of Dark Angel bred in Britain but campaigned in Australia via Hong Kong, is renowned for his late-closing abilities. However, in this instance, the $4.80 chance with betting apps had his rivals covered well before the halfway point of the long Flemington straight, despite the wide run.
Jockey Jamie Mott, who had partnered Munhamek to Swan Hill Cup success, regained the ride for the Winter Championship Final after missing the previous Flemington win. Mott was surprised by the ease with which the gelding dispatched his opponents while carrying the 60.5kg top weight.
“That was definitely two or three lengths better than the Swan Hill Cup, for sure,” Mott said. “Obviously he won nicely between today and the Swan Hill Cup, but I think probably visually it would have looked pretty good too.”
The victory was Munhamek’s 13th from 62 career starts, lifting his impressive earnings to $2,553,030. Despite the horse being in work for more than a year, trainer Ryan is reluctant to turn him out, with the $300,000 Group 2 P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 17 the likely next target.
“There’s no doubt he’s gone to another level,” Ryan said. “He’s just tough and the more we’re giving him, the more he’s just raising the bar.”
Munhamek’s consistent performances and ability to deliver in big moments have solidified his status as the standout performer in Nick Ryan’s stable. Any horse aiming to surpass him will undoubtedly have a formidable challenge ahead.
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