Austin Hopes Munce's Luck Continues

It's been a big week for Chris Munce but trainer Todd Austin is hoping the rider hasn't used up all his luck when he partners Playtime at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Munce will have his first ride on Playtime when the three-year-old filly starts in the Grace Constructions Product Handicap (1500m).

The premier jockey is riding in career-best form and landed five winners for the first time on the seven-event card at Doomben on Wednesday.

He joined an illustrious group of eight Queensland riders to have ridden five winners at a single meeting and just failed to equal Mick Dittman's feat of six winners which the retired champion jockey accomplished at Eagle Farm in November 1977.

"I'm not a lucky bloke generally but Chris is riding the best I've seen from him and he'll know what to do on my filly," Austin said.

Austin has used apprentice Brooke Richardson on Playtime at her past three starts but wanted a senior rider for her crucial test ahead of a summer campaign.

"Brooke was on loan to me as an apprentice but she's finished up with me now," Austin said.

"It was a hard decision to take her off with her three kilo claim but I wanted a senior rider who can tell me if we're on the right track with her."

Austin hopes to target the $1 million Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast on January 14 with Playtime if she performs well.

"I'll let her tell me after she runs on Saturday where to go with her," Austin said.

"It's one of the reasons I booked Chris.

"I want Chris's opinion after the race whether she's worth taking to the Magic Millions (Guineas) or whether she should step up to 1600 metres next run."

Playtime is a November foal and has effectively been competing at her past three starts as a two-year-old.

The daughter of Foreplay produced her best performance this campaign when runner-up to Morning Captain over 1400 metres at Eagle Farm earlier this month.

"I thought it was a very good run considering it was on a leader biased track and she only got beaten less than one length," Williamson said.

Playtime hasn't won for almost a year but stamped her credentials during the Brisbane winter carnival with placings in the Group Two Sires' Produce Stakes and Group One T J Smith at Eagle Farm in June.