Former champion jockey Chris Munce has described his first day as a trainer as character building.
Munce saddled up his first runner Forest Way who ran ninth in the Class Six event at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
“He didn’t run a bad race and yes it has been a character building exercise,” Munce said.
A week after retiring from the saddle, Munce said he found his first Saturday as a trainer a culture shock after 30 years as a jockey.
“I came home from the track and as a jockey I would have had a light breakfast and a bit of sleep,” he said.
“Instead I had a swim and did a bit of stuff around the house. I had some nerves on the drive up and it was strange not going into the jockeys room.”
Munce has 12 horses in work and is looking for new owners.
“I bought a nice Northern Meteor colt at the Magic Millions and we have already syndicated half him,” he said.
“But the thing is now to get out and network and build up my team.”
“People want to see results and to get some winners is a priority.”
Jockey Damian Browne had the final say on Munce’s first runner.
“At least he didn’t bag me when I came back so I must have ridden it OK,” he said.
