Chris Munce reflects on Darren Beadman’s training transition

Chris Munce
Former jockey Chris Munce hasn’t mixed his words when giving his opinion about Godolphin’s appointment of Darren Beadman. Photo: Bradley Photos

FORMER jockey now trainer Chris Munce knows what it’s like to make the transition into training and he was on hand to reflect upon on the start of Darren Beadman’s career with Godolphin.

The Queensland-based trainer didn’t mince his words when talking about Beadman, who has started his “stint” with Godolphin in emphatic fashion.

“What a start to his training career my good mate Darren Beadman has had,” Munce said.

“As a jockey Daz was smacked on the arse by a rainbow on numerous occasions now he’s been hit by the same rainbow again, becoming the head trainer for the Godolphin’s Australian operation.”

Munce believes Beadman has benefited from being in the right place at the right time, but takes nothing away from the horseman.

“Don’t get me wrong Darren was a champion rider and is a champion bloke. Throughout his riding career he had a habit of being in the right place at the right time and he made the most of his opportunities,” Munce said.

“I’ve no doubt he’ll adopt the same attitude at the helm of one of the biggest racing stables in the world.

“What an opportunity for him and personally I know I would and most other trainers would jump at the chance to train for Godolphin. They obviously have deep pockets and the quality of horseflesh is second to none.”

Beadman was the assistant trainer behind John O’Shea, but when O’Shea left, Godolphin made the decision to promote Beadman into the top position.

“When I last spoke to Darren he was not the “official” trainer, but acting as a stand-in for John O’Shea. We had a chuckle about it all and he seemed to be taking everything in his stride,” Munce said.

“While he gained experience as assistant, when John was in charge, making the transition will still be very tough.

“Daz never really stuck me as a bloke that wanted to train but no doubt he’ll put everything into it.”

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Munce added that training for a global operation requires many different facets, but noted that Beadman has been able to concentrate on just training winners.

“Aside from the actual hands-on training, there’s bookwork, dealing with owners, trying to find more clients and keeping current owners happy,” he said.

“Darren’s lucky because Godolphin has the infrastructure to take care of the peripherals so he can concentrate on training winners.”

As for Munce, he started with a hiss and a roar in the training ranks – with multiple juveniles lining up in the Queensland features, but it hasn’t been easy.

“On a personal note I’m really enjoying training. Using a scale of one to 10, the difficulty to make the transition from jockey to trainer is an 11,” Munce said.

“As a jockey you ride trackwork, spend time on form and video replays, go to the races, ride and go home.

“Training racehorses is 24-7. They’re like your kids, you feed them, exercise them and keep them healthy, as best you can.

“The feeling I get when Munce Racing wins a race is fantastic and very satisfying for all concerned.

“It’s also very exciting dealing with young horses. They’re untapped and as you train and educate them, some show enormous potential and realise it on race day.”

Munce also made comment about the chances of the Darren Beadman-trained It’s Somewhat, which will contest the Group 1 Doomben Cup this Saturday. The $3.50 favourite at Sportsbet is coming off two impressive wins, but Munce doesn’t sound keen on backing it.

“Darren, in his second week of training mind you, will have starters at Rosehill, Flemington and he will most likely be in Brisbane to saddle the Doomben Cup favourite It’s Somewhat. I’ll be the first to shake his hand if he can snare a group one, but in my opinion it is vulnerable,” he said.

“There are plenty of clouds hanging about so a heavy track is on the cards. I keep coming back to the Darren Weir trained Star Exhibit. This is his biggest test to date, but the Weir factor does help horses lift.

“My good friends Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have Sound Proposition in the Cup and the five-year-old looks a real value chance, especially if the clouds open, which is expected.”

Munce will line up one runner at Doomben on Saturday, Skate To Paris, which lines up in the Oxlade Stakes.

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