GOOD NEWS ON THE MUNCE INJURY SCARE

By Graham Potter | Thursday, January 12, 2012

It might have been another win on the board but for jockey Chris Munce, who suffered a back injury when guiding the Bryan Guy Plantinum State to victory in the first race at Eagle Farm yesterday, it was a ride he could have done without.

Munce has a big day ahead at the Magic Millions on Saturday where he is due to partner, amongst others, the well fancied Sizzling in the $2 million Two-Year-Old Magic Millions Classic as well as Lucky Morna in Three-year-old Guineas … and the last thing he, trainer Kelso Wood or the punters who have supported his runners needed was an injury concern.

Thankfully for all those connections, there was good news this morning as Munce’s agent Garry Legg was happy to confirm.

“He’s fine. There was no major damage or anything … which was the scare. Chris was just a little bit sore yesterday. He went to the doctor this morning and got a clearance for Saturday.

“I spoke to Chris yesterday and it was quite a scary moment. He said he lost both his irons and he close to coming off. You wouldn’t have thought he would have gone on to win it from there. He’s very competitive.”

Platinum State, a two-year-old first timer, was only ordinary away and raced third last and wide in early part. When Munce asked his mount to go forward approaching the 800m mark, Platinum State shifted outward abruptly immediately unbalancing his rider.

Munce’s left arm shot up high behind his back in an effort to regain his balance and in that split second he also moved his weight to the right to instinctively counter Platinum State’s leftward movement. Platinum State quickly straightened on Munce’s urgings and he thumped back into the saddle, but both horse and rider were still at odds with each other for another 75m before Platinum State settled to a reasonable degree.

“It was quite simple,” explained Munce. “He ducked out and I nearly came off. My foot was out of the iron. I was nearly on my way. That was when it sort of tweaked my back.”

With Munce’s back now hurting and Platinum State not understanding what was expected of him, it would have no surprise if the horse simply continued to whack away in the second half of the field to finish unplaced.

But, despite their respective handicaps, both horse and rider stuck to their task. Needing to make up some four lengths in the home straight, Platinum State took his time in reeling in his opposition but, with Munce’s action not one hundred percent fluent in the saddle, the son of Falvelon was still good enough to get to the front when it mattered most to land a debut victory.

Munce took a long time to bring Platinum State back to the winner’s enclosure. He looked extremely uncomfortable in the saddle and to say he dismounted gingerly would be an understatement. His head dropped and his hands went to his knees as he took a moment before heading off to be weighed in.

Munce was stood down and took no further part in the meeting.

That’s in the past. Now it is all systems go for Saturday.

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