MUNCE'S MAGICAL MILESTONE

By Graham Potter | Sunday, July 1, 2012

It would be an understatement to say that Chris Munce was a happy man at Coloundra yesterday.

The broad smile said it all as the champion rider rewrote the record books in a three hour blitz that first took him past Mick Dittman’s long standing record before ultimately going on to reach that magical one hundred metropolitan winner mark in a single season in Brisbane, something that had eluded every rider for all time … until yesterday.

But, as magnificent as those achievements were, it was the calm, relaxed, professional manner in which Munce set about his task yesterday that grabbed an equal amount of attention.

Far from fumbling his way through the ‘nervous nineties’, Munce seemed as relaxed as he has ever been. His whole demeanour presented the image of a man totally confident in his ability to get the job done and that belief clearly allowed him to not only enjoy his arrival at such a lofty destination, but also to enjoy every moment getting there. This was a happy man who was content with life.

But don’t think that in any way decreased his professional focus with regard to each individual ride or the big target he hoped to hit on the day.

When Munce pushed Mick Dittman back into second place for the most number of winners during a metropolitan season in Brisbane by winning aboard Neriani in the opening event on the card, he wasn’t just reaching a new plateau, he was setting a base camp to climb to a higher peak.

“That’s win number ninety-eight now. That’s the record. Two to go to the hundred,” said Munce, flashing a smile that was to stay on his face for much of the day.

Munce’s message was clear. Dittman’s record might well have tumbled, but there was more work to so.

Win number ninety-nine followed immediately when Munce struck again in the second race when guiding Grey Assignment to victory for trainer Kelso Wood.

Four races later and it was time for Munce’s crowning moment. A victory aboard Belltone in the featured Glasshouse Handicap, again for Kelso Wood, brought a celebration from the saddle well before the finishing line as Munce thrilled the crowd by showing just how good he was feeling.

It was a special moment.

“You know you start here as a kid … when I first started off I started here with 3kg and we had a lot of good times and a bit of fun up here, so it’s good to be able to get to one hundred winners here at Coloundra,” Munce said afterwards.

“The reception I got from the crowd coming back to scale was great.

“It is very humbling, you know. It’s been a lot of hard work during the year, but it’s all paid off.

“To do it on a horse for Kelso made it even more satisfying. Kelso has done a fantastic job with Belltone. As everybody knows he has brought him from a maiden horse to win this race now.

“He is a great horseman and that’s why he is a deserved winner today.”

There is no doubt Kelso Wood would endorse a similar view of the rider who has carried all before him this season.

Many owners, trainers and horses have played their part in helping Munce create history and they all deserve plaudits for the roles they have played, but let’s not forget the man behind the scenes who helps orchestrate Munce’s oh so successful riding schedule.

Former jockey and racing scribe Garry Legg is Munce’s manager. Their teamwork has been unparalleled in Queensland in recent times leading to two premierships and now a record-breaking season.

Legg is happy to fly under the radar. He is quiet, unassuming, never wants any of the limelight and is always a pleasure to talk to.

As is the case with the rider he manages, Legg is a credit to the game. He deserves due acknowledgement for the part he has played in a true success story.

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