By Matt Stewart, Racing Editor

Chris Munce’s racing life of extremes has plummeted for the second time, with the former champion jockey and now prominent Brisbane trainer fighting a three-month suspension and $5000 fine for a breach of treatment rules.

Munce has dispatched a letter to his owners, saying he will vigorously contest his penalty, which followed a raid of his Eagle Farm stables last October, the day before Lady Brahmos was to have contested a race at Eagle Farm.

Lady Brahmos was subsequently scratched by stewards who charged Munce with breaches of race-day treatment rules and the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission handed Munce his penalty yesterday.

While acting QRIC commissioner Mark Ainsworth said the Munce penalty served as a warning to others that they are being scrutinised “so if they are breaking the rules they will be caught,” Munce was adamant his offence was minor and the penalty too severe.

Munce said Lady Brahmos had been given a vitamin drip the day before it was to have raced.

“I consider it harsh and unfair and certainly not in line with similar penalties imposed by stewards, for offences of this nature,” Munce wrote to clients.

“No illegal or prohibited substances have ever been or ever will be provided to horses in my care.”

Munce, who was also found to have provided false and misleading evidence to stewards, said the penalty was “grossly unfair.”

Munce’s suspension is scheduled to begin on April 2 and conclude on July 2 but he is seeking a stay and also an internal review of the penalty. In February, Munce pleaded guilty to the treatment offence.

Munce began training at Eagle Farm in 2015 after a bitter-sweet career as a jockey.

Munce rode over 2000 winners, including 42 Group Ones but suffered major upheaval in 2007 when Hong Kong authorities found him guilty of betting offences and Munce was jailed for two years.

Munce has trained 303 winners and is sixth on the Brisbane premiership with 20 winners

That was on RSN.com