CHRIS Munce hopes he can pen the best possible closing chapter to his stunning riding career by winning a fourth Magic Millions 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

 

Munce will partner Wicked Intent, trained by his father-in-law Barry Mitchell, in the $2 million headline race on Magic Millions day.

 

The 45-year-old today announced that he would retire from riding after the meeting to begin a training career, based at Eagle Farm.

 

One of seven jockeys in the exclusive ‘Grand Slam club - jockeys who have ridden a winner of the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Golden Slipper - Munce sits in the pantheon of great jockeys.

 

He won the 1998 Melbourne Cup on the Brian Jenkins-trained Jezabeel, the 2010 Caulfield Cup on the Gai Waterhouse-trained Descardo; the 2004 Cox Plate on the Graeme Rogerson-trained Savabeel.

 

And, he won two Golden Slippers - Prowl for Clarry Conners in 1998 and Dance Hero for Waterhouse in 2004.

 

During a career that began in the late 1980s, Munce rode 43 Group 1 winners as well as three Magic Millions - Sunblazer (1989), Excellerator (2001) and Dance Hero (2004).

 

Munce said today he spent of time soul-searching before he decided the time was right to retire.

 

“It was a big call, but I think it was the right one. I thought the timing was right,” Munce said.

 

“It hasn’t been an easy decision or one that I have taken lightly. I have put a lot of thought into it.

 

“I just think with this colt (Wicked Intent) in the Magic Millions on Saturday, I just thought it was as good as time as any.

 

“I’m very excited about Saturday and going forward.”

 

Munce said Wicked Intent should be excused for its defeat, its first in four runs, in the BJ McLachlan Stakes given the rain affected nature of the track.

 

He said Wicked Intent will “strip a lot fitter on Saturday”.

 

Munce said he doesn’t expect anything to be presented to him when he starts his training career.

 

“Like any other business, I’ll have to work hard at it. All I can do is present the horses as best I can and hope they’re good enough,” he said. (Racing Network)