Chris Munce emotional after Tatts Tiara victory
Palaisipan has added to her value as a broodmare after taking out the final Group 1 race of the season at Eagle Farm.
The Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) on Saturday is for fillies and mares and boasted a large field as owners and trainers chase late Group 1 glory.
Ridden by Kyle Wilson-Taylor, Palaisipan ($14) scored by a half-length from Roots ($21) with Chaillot ($10) a neck away third.
Trainer Chris Munce said he was full emotion after landing the victory.
“It’s been the ride of a lifetime with a mare like her,” Munce said.
“We paid nothing for her, she’s been up and down the east coast for us and performed at the top level in every race she has competed in.
“She’s come back here, and the Yoshida conglomerate liked her and wanted to buy her, so reluctantly, we accepted their offer.
“I said to all the owner’s ‘she’s at the right age, she’s been a wonderful mare, she’s had a fantastic career’.
“She’s going to have a great life as a broodmare with the top stallions and studs all over the world.”
Despite the $14 starting price, Munce said he was confident Palaisipan would prove tough to beat.
He had his farrier come to the stable to attend to Palaisipan’s feet after she pulled a shoe in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Stakes (1300m) before running fourth in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at her most recent start.
“I knew whatever won the race today would have to be good to beat her because she improved out of sight from the Stradbroke,” Munce said.
“She was basically pulled up in the Kingsford Smith when she pulled a shoe, so she missed a very crucial run there and she was only half fit going into the Stradbroke, and she still ran fourth.
“I watched her work here on Tuesday morning and I went home and said, ‘I don’t care what’s in the race, they’d want to be good to beat her on Saturday.”
For Wilson-Taylor it was his first victory at the highest level.
He said that is shows that if you want something in life, and work hard, you can achieve it.
“I can’t believe it. I’m on top of the world. I just can’t believe it,” Wilson-Taylor said.
“I can’t thank Chris and the connections enough. This is the greatest moment of my life so far.”
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Mile test for Harry’s Yacht in 2026 Vobis Gold Reef
Will Larkin is confident the timing is right to test Harry’s Yacht over the mile when the gelding contests Saturday’s Vobis Gold Reef at Flemington. The four-year-old has enjoyed a strong preparation to date, registering two wins at benchmark level and adding two placings in Vobis races over 1200 metres. Training in...