Ryan Munger, new addition to jockey colony, has good chance to extend winning ways
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Ryan Munger made quite a splash by scoring on his first two mounts here earlier this month. The South African expatriate has three rides on Thursday’s card and could have a bright future at Woodbine if he continues his winning ways.
Munger won on Silent Miracle for trainer John Mattine and aboard Strike the Pose for trainer Ravendra Raghunath. The 27-year-old Munger is represented by agent Mike Luider.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better start – I’m pretty stoked,” Munger said. “Obviously, you need the horses, but I took to this track like a duck taking to water. I placed them in the right spots, peeled them out at the right times, and they won well. A good start always helps.”
Munger has amassed nearly 800 wins and has been a top-10 rider in South Africa and Singapore. He was the leading rider in Zimbabwe in 2017 and 2018. He has Canadian citizenship, so it made sense to try Woodbine when he and wife, Kelsey, desired a change of scenery.
“My dad’s Canadian and his whole side of the family is Canadian,” Munger said. “When I was looking for options after I left South Africa and went to go off to Singapore, Canada was first on the list. I saw Woodbine had very good purses. Woodbine is a good racing brand in itself, so I decided to take the chance.”
Munger is looking forward to the turf racing season at Woodbine, which is scheduled to begin this weekend.
“The inside turf course looks like a very technical track from watching the replays,” Munger said. “The [main course] looks like one I will really enjoy riding because I can judge the pace well, bide my time, and hopefully make that winning move.”
Too Much Vino looks like Munger’s best mount Thursday. The Bill Tharrenos trainee should be favored in the sixth, a $25,000 sprint for 3-year-old fillies.
Too Much Vino wintered at Gulfstream Park, where she defeated $12,500 maidens in January before some time off. Despite missing the break badly, Too Much Vino doubled up in a $15,000 conditioned claimer here April 22. Most recently, she rallied outside for second over an inside-biased track in a $25,000 claimer going 6 1/2 furlongs, a half-furlong shorter than Thursday’s engagement.
Munger was aboard when Too Much Vino breezed five-eighths in 1:01 on the Tapeta last Saturday.
“The work was good,” Munger said. “The horse is feeling good.”
Celtic Revival led the way along the inside before fading to third behind the favored Canadiansweetheart and Too Much Vino on May 5, and also returns in race 6 on Thursday. She figures to help set the pace with Rafael Hernandez back aboard for trainer Steve Chircop.
Munger’s other two mounts on the eight-race card are Alberta Be Mine in the second and Groom Lake in the fifth.
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