Munce seals double on Buffett

LEADING rider Chris Munce completed an early double in the new season when he scored on ex-Melbourne stayer Buffett at the Gold Coast this afternoon.
Formerly trained by Danny O’Brien, Buffett is now with Gold Coast trainer Len Wheeler and has won two of six starts since coming north.
Buffett showed staying potential as a three-year-old in 2008 when he ran well in top company behind Whobegotyou in AAMI Vase and fourth to Rebel Raider in the Victoria Derby a week later.
“He never really kicked on after that, but he’s doing a nice job since we’ve had him up here and I think he might be able to get away with a race in town when he gets down in the weights,’’ said Wheeler.
“I thought the runner-up (Majestic Sound) had him when he moved up to challenge but our bloke fought on very well.’’
Munce settled Buffett ($4.20 fav) midfield in today’s Ken Russell Memorial Golf & Raceday Benchmark 75 Hcp (2200m) and he outstayed Majestic Sound ($6.50) to score by a neck. Rank outsider Mount Aspiring ($26) was 2-1/4 lengths away in third.
Munce opened his winning account today on first-starter Via Con Dios ($2.30 fav) in the Barry Horton Pro Shop Club Banora Maiden Plate (900m).
Trained by Toby Edmonds, Via Con Dios jumped straight to the front and was never headed to score by four lengths.
Via Con Dios, a recent trial winner at the Gold Coast, is by Sequalo out of the Victory Note mare Areeba Areeba, who won four successive races at the Bundall track in 2005.
Story: Neil Archer
Photo: Trackside Photography Pty Ltd