Former top jockey Chris Munce has paid tribute to Kelso Wood, the Group 1 winning trainer who has passed away in Brisbane at the age of 72. “He was a very good trainer, so meticulous and his horses were always very well looked after,” Munce said. “His horses were always ready come race day and you could ride them with confidence.”
Wood, who was a leading Queensland apprentice in the 1960s, suffered from a lengthy illness and had closed his Eagle Farm stable four months ago. “I got word last Friday that he wasn’t well and I wanted to go and see him,” said Munce, who is now training himself at Eagle Farm.
Kelso Wood after winning the 2013 Magic Millions 2yo Classic with Real Surreal
“I got word last Friday that he wasn’t well and I wanted to go and see him.” – Chris Munce.
“I was so pleased I got there with my wife Cathy and David Devine and some of Kelso’s other owners were there. We tried to make things as comfortable as possible.”
Munce said he rode countless winners for Wood, among them the now Newgate-based stallion Sizzling (Snitzel). “I rode Zero Rock near the end of her career, but I still managed to win Listed races on her for Kelso, but Sizzling was the best.”
Munce rode the sprinter no less than 17 times and they combined for seven wins, including the G1 TJ Smith S., the G2 Sires’ Produce S., the G2 Champagne Classic, the G2 Queensland Guineas, the Listed Ken Russell Memorial Classic and the Listed Gold Edition Plate.
Wood also prepared Unequalled (Captain Piper) to win the G1 Doomben 10,000 and a Magic Millions Classic with millionaire mare Real Surreal (Real Saga {USA}). “His horses were a credit to him and he’ll be sadly missed,” Munce said.
Real Surreal winning the 2013 Magic Millions 2yo Classic
