Munhamek Dominates in Spear Chief

Mark Smith - Saturday June 3

There is little argument that Nick Ryan is a rising star in the trainer ranks, and he has rejuvenated the career of the 7yo Dark Angel gelding Munhamek (GB), who earned a maiden stakes win in the Listed Nuturf Spear Chief Hcp (1500m) at Eagle Farm.

Easy for Munhamek  (image Michael McInally/Racing Queensland)

Bringing up a race-to-race double for Billy Egan, Munhamek (GB) came with a barnstorming finish to defeat Charmmebaby (Charm Spirit) by a length and a half, with Brigantine (Astern) a half-length back in third.

A winner of two and runner-up in two of his four starts in England, Munhamek (GB) won three of thirty starts in Hong Kong.  

The son of Dark Angel advanced his record to nine wins, eight seconds, and seven thirds from 47 starts with earnings of $1,195,830.

Stable representative Aaron Mitchell hopes Munhamek (GB) has earned a Group 1 Stradbroke Hcp spot.

Advertisement

“We are absolutely rapt. Since the horse has been up here, he’s thrived and ticked all the boxes. He’s made it look easy in the end,” Mitchell said,

“He’s backed up before, and if everything goes alright in the next week, he’ll be there (for the Stradbroke).”

“We’ve been very happy with how he’s been up here. We’ll just assess him in the next few days, and we’ll have a chat with Nick and the owners. Hopefully, we’ll be going to the Stradbroke.”

“He’s down in the weights; hopefully, he scrapes in.”

Billy Egan said it could not have worked out any better.

“It pretty much worked out to script,” he said

“I wanted to be following ‘Willo’ (Craig Williams, Charmmebaby) or Skyman, Nash’s (Rawiller) mount. I was able to pocket it inside of me and keep ‘Willo’s’ back. We just got the beautiful cart up to the 600, ‘Willo’ was giving me a beautiful drag, and I wasn’t too far off the leaders. I thought, ‘when I put him out in the open, he’s really going to unleash.”

Bred by Shadwell Estate, Munhamek (GB) is the best of four winners from six to race for the Dansili mare Cadenza a half-sister to Group III winner and Group 1 Two Thousand Guineas third Kandidate (Kabool), and Group III winner Star Valley (Starborough).

Munhamek (GB) is the 98th stakes-winner for Yeomanstown Stud’s hugely successful Acclamation stallion Dark Angel (IRE), which stands for a fee of €60,000.

Advertisment

Race Result - Nuturf Spear Chief Hcp LR 1500m

Eagle Farm Track: Good(4) Time: 1:29.86
1
Munhamek
- 7g Dark Angel (IRE) x Cadenza (FR) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: Nick Ryan Rdr: W Egan 55
2
1.5
Charmmebaby
- 6m Charm Spirit (IRE) x Lithe (AUS) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: L J Mayfield-Smith Rdr: Craig Williams 54.5
3
2.0
Brigantine
- 4g Astern (AUS) x Lobola (AUS) (Anabaa (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: J R Collett 54
4
2.7
Skyman
- 7g Mukhadram (GB) x Skyrider (IRE) (Dalakhani (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: N Rawiller 60
5
3.0
Master Jamie
- 6g Poet's Voice (GB) x Verkko (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: G R Green Rdr: Justin P Stanley 54.5
6
4.2
Military Expert
- 4h Redoute's Choice (AUS) x Gresset (AUS) (Hussonet (USA))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: J B Mc Donald 56
7
4.3
Character
- 4g Teofilo (IRE) x Monogram (AUS) (Medaglia D'Oro (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Ryan Maloney 55
8
4.4
Mister Yu Shu
- 6g Artie Schiller (USA) x Wai Lin (AUS) (Scenic (IRE))
Tnr: J T Conlan Rdr: Ms N Beriman 54
9
5.3
Drive A Deel
- 4m Dundeel (NZ) x Drive On (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: R L Heathcote Rdr: Tim Clark 54
10
5.5
Linthorpe Lad
- 5g Mahisara (AUS) x Rocklet (AUS) (Easy Rocking (AUS))
Tnr: K R Kemp Rdr: L V Cassidy 54
11
7.0
Vinco
- 6g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Percussive (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: Ben Thompson 56.5
12
7.7
Alburq
- 6g Rubick (AUS) x Euro Chic (AUS) (Dehere (USA))
Tnr: B J Smith Rdr: Rachel King 54
13
10.1
Puntura
- 5g Vespa (NZ) x Mumzahoney (NZ) (Magic Of Sydney (AUS))
Tnr: R J Patterson Rdr: M R Du Plessis 54
14
14.6
Tears Of Love
- 6g Love Conquers All (AUS) x Here No Tears (AUS) (Dehere (USA))
Tnr: M A Kropp Rdr: S T Collett 54
More Reading...
Raging Force Bolts in at Randwick
Cosmic Force 2YO Raging Force was sent around in the Group III ATC Breeder’s Plate on debut last spring finishing sixth to King Kirk and coming out of the race with an injury, but time and a patient approach has put his career back on track.
One To Watch – Randwick
After impressing on debut, the Chris Waller trained 3yo Super Seth filly Frosty Girl (NZ) took on the older mares on the Kensington track, remaining unbeaten with another stylish victory to become Breednet’s One To Watch.
Tassort Filly Too Classy at Randwick
Stakes-placed two starts back in the Listed Woodlands Stud Stakes at Scone, talented 2YO Tassort filly Wollzeile proved too classy at Randwick on Wednesday.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday June 24
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday June 25
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Positive Build Up to Karaka Weanling Sale
Stars of the future go under the hammer at Karaka on Thursday with New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale set to commence at 10am.
The Old Marvel Munhamek Strikes in Winter Championship Series Final
Munhamek (GB) made it three wins on the bounce when he gave his rivals weight, travelled three-wide, and still proved a class above in Saturday’s $200,000 Listed VRC-CRV Winter Championship Series Final (1600m) at Flemington.
Storm Boy Retired to Coolmore Australia
An utterly dominant winner of the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, the hugely exciting son of the international sire sensation Justify is set to join the Coolmore Australia roster in 2025.
Irish Oaks Possible for Royal Ascot Fairytale Filly
The biggest story in terms of our audience reads from Royal Ascot last week was by far and away the one on the Aussie owned underdog three year-old filly Cercene, who captured the Group I Coronation Stakes.
One Last Time - Ollie Goes Out a Winner in Gold Rush
A ride to put the stamp on an incredible career, Damien Oliver scythed between runners from near last on the turn to capture the $1,500,000 Damien Oliver Gold Rush at Ascot on the Nick Ryan-trained Munhamek (GB).