Written by Paul Vettise
Kavak (Deep Field) has been a gentleman since the day he first stepped foot in Chris Munce’s stable and the model professional has since showed he’s got the talent to match his admirable demeanour.
The colt followed up a win at his only trial appearance with victory on debut on his home track at Eagle Farm and then came from a wide gate at the Gold Coast to finish runner-up behind the highly-regarded The Drinks Cart (Unencumbered).
Those two performances have Kavak safely in the top 10 in order of entry to next month’s $2 million The Star Magic Millions 2YO Classic, but there’s work to be done before then for the youngster and starting with Friday’s Listed The Spirit Of Boom Phelan Ready S.
The Munce-prepared juvenile will have only four rivals to contend with and with regular rider Jim Byrne on board it will be a major surprise if he doesn’t add to his bank account.
“He’s a very good colt and won impressively from a bad gate first-up, which they don’t normally do,” Munce said. “The other day at the Gold Coast in a race that was probably too short for him, he was a bit pretty in condition and he ran very well.”
“He’s a very good colt and won impressively from a bad gate first-up, which they don’t normally do.” - Chris Munce.
Kavak was offered by Alexia Fraser Bloodstock at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale earlier this year and sold to Munce for $145,000.
“I saw him at the sale and really liked the look of him. He’s always been a beauty from day one and he’s been a very straight forward horse to deal with,” he said.
“He’s was just a natural looking 2-year-old, very strong and he had the right temperament to go with it.
“David Devine and Neville Morgan race him and they’ve got a few others with me.”
McLachlan option
Munce will decide after Friday if Kavak makes another appearance before the Magic Millions, to be run at the Gold Coast on January 11.
“He’ll certainly go that way and he might run in the G3 BJ McLachlan S., depending how he pulls up and I’ll see whether I think he needs one more before the Magic Millions. I’ll let him tell me that,” he said.
Chris Munce
Kavak is certainly bred to be precocious as his dam Moroccan Rose (Charge Forward) was placed in the Listed Calaway Gal S. at two. She is a sister to the G3 Triscay S. winner Zestful and is a half-sister to the dam of the G2 Reisling S. winner and Magic Millions 2YO Classic placegetter Military Rose (General Nediym).
His grand dam Zest (Marauding {NZ}) is a half-sister to the multiple Group 1 winning sprinter and influential sire Zeditave while the two-time top-flight winner Melito (Redoute’s Choice) and the former champion Singapore short course performer Zac Spirit (Flying Spur) are also members of the family.
Strong chance
Meanwhile, stablemate Boomsara (Spirit Of Boom), successful in last season’s Magic Millions Guineas, looks well-placed on Saturday to win the inaugural running of the Roku Gin The Gateway at Eagle Farm.
He came from the outside gate when resuming last time out to finish third in the G3 George Moore S. at Doomben and has made pleasing progress since.
Boomsara
"I suppose I am biased but I thought his effort was very good and probably the run of the day," Munce said. "I am pleased with the way he has done after such a tough run.
"We want to keep him ticking over for his main aim this campaign which is on Magic Millions day."
Boomsara will also earn automatic entry into the G1 Stradbroke H. in June if he wins on Saturday.
