Returning From Spells
November 11th 2008 07:37
Two well known Australian jockeys are back ‘in work’ after returning from spells. Their individual ‘breaks’ away from racing have been for greatly different lengths of time - and for vastly different reasons. But both now resume first with the slog of riding trackwork, and the process of building both fitness and confidence - confidence in themselves and the confidence of others.
(photo: Getty Images)
In Sydney Chris Munce resumed riding trackwork for Gai Waterhouse after being released from Silverwater Prison after being gaoled for his involvement in tips-for-bets scandal that was discovered by Hong Kong anti-corruption officials. In July 2006 Munce was discovered with $HK250,000 (around $A40,000) in a pocket in his jeans - along with a paper that appeared to relate to bets on races which he had tipped.
Chris Munce received a 30 month sentence by the Hong Kong judiciary. Munce was in gaol (in Hong Kong) from March 2007 until being transferred to Silverwater Prison in Sydney in the following September. He served 20 months of the total sentence before early release. In Australia Munce’s offences would have been dealt with by the racing authorities, and not through the judicial system as was the case in Hong Kong.
Munce has been granted a licence to ride by Racing NSW - but has additional conditions added (that are definitely not standard).
a) Munce must make himself available to the Hong Kong Jockey Club with respect to the stewards' inquiry that commenced on November 3 and comply with any commitment given by him in respect to such inquiry or investigation.
(b) that Munce comply with any and all conditions or directions issued by or that may be issued by the NSW Corrective Services Department or other relevant disciplinary authority that form part of his custodial sentence for involvement in a tips-for-bets arrangement when licensed as a jockey and riding in Hong Kong in 2006.
After riding five horses for Gai Waterhouse on Tuesday he reported that he came through the session far better than he had imagined.
"I was expecting to be a lot sorer than I am after such a long time off. I was straight back into the gallops and it was just like I’d ridden one yesterday, it didn’t feel all that new at all.”
“There was none of the cantering around and get used to the place again it was just straight into the gallops. It gave me a good blow out but I surprised myself, I’ve pulled up remarkably well.”
“The way I’m feeling I could have buttered up again at the trials at Rosehill so I’m probably looking at going to the trials next week and I’ll just take it from there.”
“The most important thing is to get my timing right and it’s not going to happen overnight but the way that I feel at the moment I don’t think it will take that long either. I’m keener than ever and I've got that desire burning inside me.” - Chris Munce.
Meanwhile in Melbourne young jockey Sebastian Murphy returns to riding trackwork after a self-enforced break from racing.
(photo: courier.com.au)
Murphy has not ridden in a race since mid-August and his decision (a family decision) to take a break from racing came at a time just after Sebastian had ridden his first Group One winner (Mr Baritone) in the Stradbroke Handicap. It was expected that the talents of this exceptionally gifted apprentice would be much sought after this Spring. His star looked to be rising - but behind the scenes it was a different story.
Sebastian Murphy has just resumed riding trackwork - but unlike Chris Munce he is going to take more time to return to the fitness levels necessary to ride in races again. When interviewed on Radio 927 today he made mention that he will develop fitness from riding trackwork before attempting to ride in race trials. And unlike Munce he was sore from his most recent attempts to ride.
Part of the problem had been a bulging disc problem in his back. But primarily the rest was necessary after three relentless years of riding that took him from raw novice to the heights of being ranked among the very best riders in Australia. The worry about weight gain from a break of reasonable duration saw Sebastian work himself into a state of exhaustion. And now as he returns to riding he will have to gradually reduce his weight to an acceptable level - not something that is a problem for the very diminutive Chris Munce.
It is doubtful that Sebastian Murphy will return to repeat the work load that drove him to require such a prolonged break. His mother, Marita Murphy, summed up the new outlook thus:
"It will be about quality rather than quantity.” - Marita Murphy.
A look at the riding statistics of Sebastian Murphy tells the tale numerically.
1/8/05 - 31/7/06:
511 rides
55 1sts
60 2nds
51 3rds
1/8/06 - 31/7/07:
893 rides
121 wins
107 2nds
106 3rds
1/8/07 - 31/7/08:
1042 rides
121 wins
107 2nds
106 3rds
1/8/08 to present:
49 rides
8 wins
3 2nds
2 3rds.
At 18 years old Sebastian Murphy has been crowned Melbourne Metropolitan Premier Apprentice on two occasions. He has already outridden his apprentices claim. He has ridden a Group One winner and ridden in the Melbourne Cup. He was riding around 53 kg before his break from racing.
Chris Munce (in strange pose) after winning Melbourne Cup
(photo: Getty Images)
In Sydney Chris Munce resumed riding trackwork for Gai Waterhouse after being released from Silverwater Prison after being gaoled for his involvement in tips-for-bets scandal that was discovered by Hong Kong anti-corruption officials. In July 2006 Munce was discovered with $HK250,000 (around $A40,000) in a pocket in his jeans - along with a paper that appeared to relate to bets on races which he had tipped.
Chris Munce received a 30 month sentence by the Hong Kong judiciary. Munce was in gaol (in Hong Kong) from March 2007 until being transferred to Silverwater Prison in Sydney in the following September. He served 20 months of the total sentence before early release. In Australia Munce’s offences would have been dealt with by the racing authorities, and not through the judicial system as was the case in Hong Kong.
Munce has been granted a licence to ride by Racing NSW - but has additional conditions added (that are definitely not standard).
a) Munce must make himself available to the Hong Kong Jockey Club with respect to the stewards' inquiry that commenced on November 3 and comply with any commitment given by him in respect to such inquiry or investigation.
(b) that Munce comply with any and all conditions or directions issued by or that may be issued by the NSW Corrective Services Department or other relevant disciplinary authority that form part of his custodial sentence for involvement in a tips-for-bets arrangement when licensed as a jockey and riding in Hong Kong in 2006.
After riding five horses for Gai Waterhouse on Tuesday he reported that he came through the session far better than he had imagined.
"I was expecting to be a lot sorer than I am after such a long time off. I was straight back into the gallops and it was just like I’d ridden one yesterday, it didn’t feel all that new at all.”
“There was none of the cantering around and get used to the place again it was just straight into the gallops. It gave me a good blow out but I surprised myself, I’ve pulled up remarkably well.”
“The way I’m feeling I could have buttered up again at the trials at Rosehill so I’m probably looking at going to the trials next week and I’ll just take it from there.”
“The most important thing is to get my timing right and it’s not going to happen overnight but the way that I feel at the moment I don’t think it will take that long either. I’m keener than ever and I've got that desire burning inside me.” - Chris Munce.
Meanwhile in Melbourne young jockey Sebastian Murphy returns to riding trackwork after a self-enforced break from racing.
Sebastian Murphy at Ballarat
(photo: courier.com.au)
Murphy has not ridden in a race since mid-August and his decision (a family decision) to take a break from racing came at a time just after Sebastian had ridden his first Group One winner (Mr Baritone) in the Stradbroke Handicap. It was expected that the talents of this exceptionally gifted apprentice would be much sought after this Spring. His star looked to be rising - but behind the scenes it was a different story.
Sebastian Murphy has just resumed riding trackwork - but unlike Chris Munce he is going to take more time to return to the fitness levels necessary to ride in races again. When interviewed on Radio 927 today he made mention that he will develop fitness from riding trackwork before attempting to ride in race trials. And unlike Munce he was sore from his most recent attempts to ride.
Part of the problem had been a bulging disc problem in his back. But primarily the rest was necessary after three relentless years of riding that took him from raw novice to the heights of being ranked among the very best riders in Australia. The worry about weight gain from a break of reasonable duration saw Sebastian work himself into a state of exhaustion. And now as he returns to riding he will have to gradually reduce his weight to an acceptable level - not something that is a problem for the very diminutive Chris Munce.
It is doubtful that Sebastian Murphy will return to repeat the work load that drove him to require such a prolonged break. His mother, Marita Murphy, summed up the new outlook thus:
"It will be about quality rather than quantity.” - Marita Murphy.
A look at the riding statistics of Sebastian Murphy tells the tale numerically.
1/8/05 - 31/7/06:
511 rides
55 1sts
60 2nds
51 3rds
1/8/06 - 31/7/07:
893 rides
121 wins
107 2nds
106 3rds
1/8/07 - 31/7/08:
1042 rides
121 wins
107 2nds
106 3rds
1/8/08 to present:
49 rides
8 wins
3 2nds
2 3rds.
At 18 years old Sebastian Murphy has been crowned Melbourne Metropolitan Premier Apprentice on two occasions. He has already outridden his apprentices claim. He has ridden a Group One winner and ridden in the Melbourne Cup. He was riding around 53 kg before his break from racing.
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