Mile trip ideal for Munhamek at Flemington

Flemington trainer Nick Ryan in banking on a step up in trip on his home track to bring up another victory for Munhamek.

The UK bred galloper who raced in Hong Kong before making his way to Australia, is down to run in the TAB We’re On (1600m) on Saturday.

Munhamek has an excellent record at Saturday’s trip, especially at Flemington, winning three times from four attempts at the course and distance.

And after two runs back from a break, both at 1400m, Ryan is expecting Munhamek to go close on Saturday.

“Third-up he will strip fitter and only six accepted, so it’s a small field,” Ryan said.

“I thought he put the writing on the wall last start when he ran super with a big weight, which he’s going to have to carry again on Saturday, but he gets to the mile and obviously it’s his home track.

“He’s got a great record at the mile at Flemington, winning three times from four starts, and he’s certainly showing no signs of training off or slowing down.”

After competing against stronger company in the early spring, Munhamek was given a break before resuming in The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham on December 21 before running fifth, just under two lengths from Miraval Rose in the Kensington Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on January 1.

Ryan said Munhamek had been on the ‘tubby’ side leading up to Pakenham.

“We were pushed a little bit for time and he only had one decent jump out going into Pakenham, so he was always gone improve off it,” Ryan said.

“The fast run race didn’t suit him with Buffalo River in it and he was chasing the whole way.

“Last start they went a bit slower, and he was able to get on the bridle and travel, but he’s much more suited on Saturday in the small field and up to the mile, it’s really going to suit him.”

Last autumn Munhamek contested the early Group 1 weight-for-age races as a lead-up to the All-Star Mile, but this time around Ryan has no set plans.

“Those weight-for-age horses were probably too bit sharp for over 1400 (metres),” Ryan said.

“We did think about going to New Zealand post the Supernova, but we reneged on that so that’s why we’re just a poking along at the moment.

“He’s 103 (rated) at the moment, so he’s up there, so we’re just going to be as smart as we can and place as best we can.

“Maybe a race like the Blamey (1600m at Flemington in March) could be a race for him.”