Towering jockey Justin Huxtable seized his sliding-doors moment with both hands, delivering a masterful performance aboard rising star Zip Lock to claim victory in the Group 3 BJ McLachlan Stakes, propelling the promising colt into next month’s Magic Million 2YO Classic.

In a twist of fate, Huxtable only secured the coveted ride in the $300,000 race on Saturday at Eagle Farm because regular pilot Martin Harley was sidelined with suspension.

But the stand-in jockey covered himself in glory with a brilliant tactical display on Zip Lock, denying top trainer Ciaron Maher‘s red-hot $1.75 favourite Tornado Valley in the 1200m sprint.

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“Martin obviously won on him (Zip Lock), has a big opinion of the horse and will probably be riding him on Magic Millions day,” said Chris Munce, who trains in partnership with his son Corey.

“Justin knows that unfortunately he’s got to make hay while the sun shines and he doesn’t always get rides like that in big races.

“He’s as good a rider as there is anywhere, I think, and it’s just good that he’s been able to win a race like that with us.

“It’s just unfortunate that his height and weight are going to slow him down and he’s probably only got a limited time in the saddle so he has to make hay while the sun shines.”

Zip Lock wins the G3 B.J. McLachlan Stakes for the @MunceRacing team and will head to the Magic Millions! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/rshPupyKX3

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 27, 2025

Once Zip Lock surged to the front in the straight, he was always going to win.

Despite Tornado Valley’s valiant pursuit, the race leader held firm, while $126 roughie Leaves Of Lorien trailed home a distant third on the soft track.

“I had a lot of confidence going into the race,” Huxtable said.

“I’ve had a bit to do with this horse. It was my gain out of Martin’s unfortunate circumstances in getting time (out suspended) otherwise it would’ve been him riding the horse.

“It was nice to fill in for someone like him. I think he’s a handy colt with a big heart.

“The conversations were had before the race, it’s Martin’s horse and he’ll probably retain the ride.

“But me and Martin bounce off each other and I was able to seize the opportunity while it was there.”

Justin Huxtable celebrates with co-trainers Chris (left) and Corey Munce. Picture: Trackside Photography

Munce revealed that Zip Lock, who stormed to victory in his debut race by 1½ lengths at Doomben on November 15, had improved out of sight since that impressive introduction.

“He’s always shown us ability but he can absorb high-race pressure,” the former champion jockey said.

“It augurs well (for the $3m MM 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast on January 17).

“The horse had that freshen up and then a soft trial the other day (December 15) and he’s improved enormously off that.

“Realistically I said to the owners that I never really put much emphasis on the Magic Millions because I thought with a bit of time he’d make a lovely three-year-old.

“The Magic Millions was never going to be the be-all and end-all but obviously now with the way he ran today, and he’s thriving in the stable, we’ll go there.”

It would’ve been fascinating to see how Zip Lock and Tornado Valley measured up against Bjorn Baker’s powerhouse colt Paradoxium.

But the one-time 2YO Classic favourite was this week cruelly ruled out of the feature race on the Gold Coast after contracting pneumonia, leaving punters to wonder what might have been.

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