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Australian jockey Chris Munce is alleged to have accepted "advantages" from illegal bookmakers and punters in what has been described as a "tips-for-bets bribery scam" in Hong Kong.[/FONT]
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Munce was one of seven people arrested in Hong Kong today after an operation by the Hong Kong ICAC code-named "Twin Towns" which commenced on Monday.[/FONT]
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The 37-year-old was preparing to fly out of Hong Kong and return to Sydney where he was hoping to return to the saddle in the Harbour City from July 11.[/FONT]
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A statement issued by the Hong Kong ICAC confirmed the arrests and outlined reasons into the actions. [/FONT]
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As well as Munce the others involved in the action include four suspected illegal bookmakers, as well as "two other individuals who allegedly acted as middlemen in the bribery scam."[/FONT]
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"ICAC investigation revealed that the arrested jockey (Munce) had allegedly accepted advantages, either directly or through the middlemen, from illegal bookmakers and punters for providing tips relating to his mounts in various race meetings," the statement read.[/FONT]
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"The alleged advantages were believed to be in the form of bets placed by the illegal bookmakers and punters on the jockey's behalf, as well as dividends generated from those bets," it continued.[/FONT]
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"Investigation revealed that on a number of occasions during the racing season ending last Sunday, bets totalling about $0.6 million were placed on behalf of the jockey, who had received, or was expecting to receive, dividends totalling about $1.6 million."[/FONT]
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The statement said the Hong Kong Jockey Club had offered "full assistance" during the investigation.[/FONT]
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"The corruption inquiry is continuing," the statement summed up.[/FONT]
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Munce, born in Casino in 1969, kicked away his career as a jockey with renowned Queensland horseman Eric Kirwan at Eagle Farm in Brisbane.[/FONT]
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Tiny in stature, the rider is big in race wins. He's won a Cox Plate (Savabeel), a Melbourne Cup (Jezabeel), two Golden Slippers (Prowl and Dance Hero) and was six times the champion rider of Brisbane.[/FONT]
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Munce has ridden 38 Group One winners. His other winning mounts at racing's elite level include Dane Ripper, Defier, All Our Mob, Spark of Life, Assertive Lad and Bollinger.[/FONT]
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His first Group One win came aboard Barrosa Boy in the 1992 Doomben 10,000 in Brisbane.[/FONT]
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He finished third on the jockey's premiership (to Douglas Whyte and Brett Prebble) in Hong Kong during the latest season that concluded on Sunday.[/FONT]
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During the previous two seasons he finished third in the Sydney's jockeys premierships - both being won by Darren Beadman.[/FONT]
Munce won the recent Group One TJ Smith at Eagle Farm aboard the John O'Shea trained Reigning to Win run on the June long weekend in Brisbane.
© Cyberhorse 2006 Greg Irvine Published 04/07/06
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