Hong Kong chief: Munce return is a sad day for racing

Australian horses Apache Cat and Douro Valley both hold good chances of claiming victory on Hong Kong's biggest race day of the year a week on Sunday but could receive a lukewarm reception if successful.

Relations between the Hong Kong Jockey Club and Australia have been thrown into turmoil following the decision of Racing New South Wales to ignore an extended riding ban on disgraced jockey Chris Munce.

Munce was sent to jail for his part in a "tips-for-bets" scandal after he was found with HK$250,000 (£22,000) cash plus a list of horses and bets after a spell riding in Hong Kong.

The jockey was found guilty of corrupt conduct at a court hearing in Hong Kong in February 2007 and served 20 months of a 30-month sentence in a Sydney jail after a prisoner-exchange agreement negotiated between Australia and Hong Kong.

After his release Munce was summoned back to Hong Kong to appear before a Jockey Club inquiry on Monday where he pleaded guilty to 36 charges with the HKJC believing they had extended his worldwide riding ban until September next year.

However, on returning to Sydney, Munce found that Racing NSW believed he had served his sentence and chose to disregard the HKJC ban and handed back his licence. He is due to resume riding at Randwick a week tomorrow.