Chris Munce and son Corey celebrate Ipswich Cup win

The Ipswich Cup narrative has a new chapter, penned by trainer Chris Munce in collaboration with his son, Corey.

This victory follows Munce's 1994 win as a jockey on Oompala, a horse that went on to achieve third place in the Melbourne Cup.

His training success in the Listed staying feature was first marked in 2022 with Smart Meteor, and Kaluakoi added to this achievement on Saturday.

Munce reflected on his history with the race: "Oompala was a very good galloper. He won the Caloundra Cup, got beaten in the Grafton Cup, then went and ran third in the Melbourne Cup. To be able to ride a winner and now train two, one with Corey, it's a great thrill."

A primary concern for Munce heading into the race was Kaluakoi's lack of recent middle-distance experience this preparation.

However, any doubts were dispelled once the race was underway.

Munce shared his thoughts with Corey after the first circuit: "I said to Corey when he got past the winning post that he was going to be hard to beat because he pricked his ears down the hill and relaxed lovely. He's got no real turn of foot, but he's a tough galloper."

Kaluakoi, starting as the $4.60 favourite, dictated terms from the front and responded well to apprentice Emily Lang's urgings, crossing the line three-quarters of a length ahead of Encoder ($4.80). Sun Worshipper ($21) finished third.

Lang, achieving her fifth stakes victory, confirmed she followed Chris Munce's instructions to take control early.

She elaborated on the advice she received: "He did say to me on Thursday at the trials that he didn't want (the horse) to be ridden pretty. The last four or so weeks have been really tough. I obviously don't have a claim anymore, and with all the Sydney and Melbourne jockeys coming up, my manager has had to do a really tough job of getting me rides. When I get the opportunity from a stable like Chris and Corey Munce, it makes all the difference and it's good to get the job done."

Elsewhere, the Michael Freedman-trained Soothsayer, ridden by Daniel Moor, claimed the Listed Eye Liner Stakes (1350m) despite starting from a wide gate.

Lee Freedman, managing his brother's Gold Coast stable, expressed his astonishment at the gelding's rapid progression this campaign, anticipating he could develop into a capable miler next season.

"I'm a bit flabbergaster to be honest because he's gone from a benchmark 85 to a Group Three. He may have come back this 'prep' better than ever. I always thought he'd be a good horse for a race like the Epsom (Handicap), so that may be the race you see him in," Lee Freedman remarked.

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