Written by Paul Vettise
What you see is what you get with Boomnova (Spirit Of Boom), who heads into Saturday’s Gold Coast R. Listed Magic Millions 3YO Guineas on an upward plane, but stablemate and race rival Kavak (Deep Field) isn’t so straightforward.
Trainer Chris Munce was able to breathe a sigh of relief when scratchings allowed his in-form filly Boomnova to come off the ballot while the idiosyncratic Kavak was always assured a start.
Boomnova showed her potential on debut last season when third behind Kisukano (Bel Esprit) and Rothfire (Rothesay) before a break and has returned to reel off a hat-trick of wins.
“She’s a really nice filly and always been precocious. She’s showed a lot from the get-go and had a small issue after her first run in a race,” Munce said. “I told the owners I thought she could win that day and ran super. She is a very good galloper.”
Boomnova won her first two starts with convincing front-running displays before she came from off the pace under jockey Bobby El-Issa to win over 1200 metres at the Gold Coast a week ago. That was a performance that buoyed Munce when assessing her Guineas prospect from a wide barrier.
“There is going to be a lot of pressure and they will go very hard. She proved the other day that she can come from anywhere so Bobby is just going to have to try and give her the best ride he can,” he said.
The filly is at the top of her form and Munce is also relaxed about Boomnova coping with the seven-day back-up.
“That’s no issue at all and she’ll handle it. All it comes down to is luck in the race and what sort of run she gets.”
“All it comes down to is luck in the race and what sort of run she gets.” – Chris Munce
Boomnova was purchased by Munce at the Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale for $110,000 out of Eureka Stud’s draft.
Boomnova as a yearling
A three-time winner and runner-up in last season’s Listed Phelan Ready S., barnmate Kavak has mixed his form this preparation with a placing from three starts and was ninth behind Boomnova last weekend.
Munce said the gelding could fool his riders at times and will make a gear addition to keep his mind firmly on the job.
“He’s a bit of a quirky horse in the sense that he pricks his ears and seems like there’s a lot more to give so he’s a funny one.
“I’m going to put the visors on for Saturday and am hoping that will help him focus. He is a good galloper though, there’s no doubt about that and he’s a chance in the race.”
Kavak was offered by Alexia Fraser Bloodstock at the Gold Coast Yearling Sale where he was knocked down to Munce and Arthur Hoyeau for $145,000.
Kavak as a yearling
