Munce cops three-month ban from Queensland Racing
Trainer Chris Munce has been suspended by Queensland Racing stewards for three months after he pleaded guilty to charges of providing one of his horses with a raceday vitamin treatment in October.
On Wednesday morning, the Eagle Farm-based trainer was charged $5,000 on top of the time on the sidelines. Munce pleaded guilty to the charges in mid-February but maintains they were “harsh and unfair”, according to an email obtained by HorseBetting.com.au that was sent to his owners.
Lady Brahmos, the horse in question, was scratched by stewards at Eagle Farm in October and has since been transferred to Stuart Kendrick’s stable on the Sunshine Coast. The four-year-old mare has placed just the once from three attempts at her new home.
Munce told his owners that he has instructed his lawyers to lodge an internal review and apply to QCAT (Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal) for a stay of that decision. The trainer intends to “vigorously challenge the penalty” and assures owners that no illegal or prohibitive substances have or ever will be used on his horses.
It has been a tumultuous 12 months for Munce, with the former jockey filing for bankruptcy in April 2020. Should his appeal be dismissed, the Melbourne Cup winner will be suspended from April 2nd until July 2nd this year.