Munce wife thanks racing industry for support

The wife of jailed Australian jockey Chris Munce has expressed her thanks for the support she and her family have received ahead of his return from Hong Kong.

A deal brokered between the Australian and NSW governments with Chinese authorities means Munce will serve the remainder of his 30 month sentence for betting offences in a minimum security facility in Sydney.

Cathy Munce issued a statement saying she was grateful for the help she and her three children had received but asked for privacy.

"On behalf of my family I would like to sincerely thank the many people in the racing industry and wider community who have offered their support and well wishes over the past few months," she said.

"It has been an extremely difficult time for our family and the kindness and support shown by so many people has been of immense encouragement.

"While it will be a great relief to finally have Chris back in Australia, our journey is far from over.

"We still don't have Chris at home with us but know that each day we are a step closer to ultimately achieving this goal.

"I understand the media interest, but ask that they respect the privacy of our young family.

"I know I can continue to rely on the support of friends and family in the days and months ahead."

Munce was jailed earlier this year for taking money in exchange for race tips in the strictly-controlled Hong Kong racing industry.

A fund raising lunch attended by many racing personalities was held for Cathy Munce and her children last week to help cover Munce's legal fees estimated as high as $500,000.

Munce's return to Australia was confirmed earlier this month after a fee of $A10,000 was paid for his transfer.

He has been in a Hong Kong jail since March 1 when he was sentenced to two-and-a-half years.

The jockey was arrested by Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption investigators in July last year, a day before he was due to fly home after fulfilling a riding contract.

Munce rode successfully during the last Melbourne spring carnival winning the Salinger Stakes on Dance Hero and Mackinnon Stakes on Desert War, both for trainer Gai Waterhouse, one of his staunchest supporters.

The 37-year-old has ridden the winners of most of Australia's biggest races including the 1998 Melbourne Cup on Jezabeel.

In Australia, Munce's actions would have been dealt with by racing authorities, not the courts.