Fairytale endings are rare in racing but Chris Munce is confident he can buck the trend on favourite Wicked Intent in the A$2 million Magic Millions Classic.
Munce announced his retirement as a jockey on Wednesday and he will take up training the morning after he rides at today's Gold Coast meeting.
Gunsynd and Octagonal are just two of the champion horses beaten at their last starts while a long line of top jockeys also failed to greet the judge at their final racetrack appearances.
However, Munce, who will be remembered with George Moore, Neville Sellwood and Mick Dittman as Queensland's greatest jockeys, is brimming with confidence about today's Gold Coast meeting where he also rides Into The Red in the A$1 million Guineas.
Wicked Intent has maintained his place at the top of the betting for the Classic after drawing barrier five.
"I really want to win this one. My wife Cathy and I helped pick out Wicked Intent for just $15,000 and my father-in-law Barry Mitchell has done a great job training him," Munce said.
"The horse is well, we have a good barrier, and he will benefit from his last start second."
Wicked Intent is among the horses which will be part of Munce's new stable. Munce has won the Classic three times on Sunblazer, Excellerator and Dance Hero, finished second on Belle Du Jour and third on Demanding Miss.
Star apprentice Luke Tarrant hopes his dreams of winning the Magic Millions Classic don't get washed away.
The Gold Coast track is certain to be soft today after more rain fell during the week.
Tarrant will have his first Classic ride on Le Chef, who scored an impressive win at the Gold Coast last Saturday.
- AAP