{"id":205276,"date":"2025-12-28T15:46:48","date_gmt":"2025-12-28T15:46:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/205276\/"},"modified":"2025-12-28T15:46:48","modified_gmt":"2025-12-28T15:46:48","slug":"fill-in-jockey-seizes-moment-as-colt-locks-in-millions-berth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/205276\/","title":{"rendered":"Fill-in jockey seizes moment as colt Locks in Millions berth"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

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

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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<\/a>, who trains in partnership with his son Corey. <\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“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. <\/p>\n

“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.”<\/p>\n

Zip Lock wins the G3 B.J. McLachlan Stakes for the @MunceRacing<\/a> team and will head to the Magic Millions! \ud83d\udd25 pic.twitter.com\/rshPupyKX3<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 27, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Once Zip Lock surged to the front in the straight, he was always going to win.<\/p>\n

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

“I had a lot of confidence going into the race,” Huxtable said. <\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“It was nice to fill in for someone like him. I think he’s a handy colt with a big heart.<\/p>\n

“The conversations were had before the race, it’s Martin’s horse and he’ll probably retain the ride. <\/p>\n

“But me and Martin bounce off each other and I was able to seize the opportunity while it was there.”<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Justin Huxtable celebrates with co-trainers Chris (left) and Corey Munce. Picture: Trackside Photography<\/p>\n

Munce revealed that Zip Lock, who stormed to victory in his debut race by 1\u00bd lengths at Doomben on November 15, had improved out of sight since that impressive introduction.<\/p>\n

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

“It augurs well (for the $3m MM 2YO Classic<\/a> at the Gold Coast on January 17). <\/p>\n

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

“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.<\/p>\n

“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.”<\/p>\n

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

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.<\/p>\n

\u25a0 \u25a0 \u25a0 \u25a0 \u25a0<\/p>\n