When Chris Munce climbs aboard Dear Demi, he knows he's already beaten the odds

ELEVEN months after he feared he may never ride again, Chris Munce could enrich Melbourne Cup folklore by becoming racing's $5 million man.

Chris Munce in his study at his Hendra home with a painting of painting of Melbourne Cup-winning mare Jezabeel (right). Picture:

ELEVEN months after he feared he may never ride again, cancer conqueror Chris Munce could enrich Melbourne Cup folklore by becoming racing's $5 million man tomorrow.

As he prepares to pilot heavily backed mare Dear Demi, Munce reflected on a ride far more treacherous than anything he has confronted in the saddle.

Munce was diagnosed with throat cancer last December after swelling he first noticed in a visit to the dentist a few months before gradually got worse.

He soon stood down from riding to have radiation treatment before returning to riding in May.

When Munce was told the grim news he had cancer, the thought of the Brisbane jockey raising the most cherished racing trophy in Australia less than a year later seemed beyond a dream.

"When I first got told I did genuinely fear it (that he may never ride again),'' Munce told The Courier-Mail.

"You just don't know what to expect. You are in the doctor's hands. You do what the doctors tell you to do.

"At the end of the day I was very lucky I was able to come through it and be cured from it and back doing what I love doing.

"It is what you are in the game for - to win a Melbourne Cup is every jockey's dream. To get a ride in Melbourne Cup after what I have been through is great.''

Dear Demi's colourful owner John Singleton has backed his mare to win more than $5 million and it is understood he would be likely to give Munce a generous sling - perhaps six figures - on top of Munce's riding fee if she wins.

Munce knows Singleton well through previous riding engagements and phoned him, asking for the ride.

"He is man's man who calls a spade a spade. He knows the game and I think he realises you can't win all the time,'' Munce said.

"He is passionate about his racing and has put a lot of money into it.''

Side Glance (centre) holds out the fas-finishing Dear Demi and Chris Munce to win the Mackinnon Stakes on Derby Day. Picture: Getty Images

Singleton backed the mare at odds around $41, but she has firmed to $17 after an eye-catching second in Saturday's Mackinnon Stakes which convinced Munce she is a solid chance today.

"She has been targeted for the race. That is a huge asset. Horses which go to the Melbourne Cup as an afterthought never win it,'' she said.

"She has had the perfect preparation and her runs just keep on improving.''

No matter what her fate, Munce is just happy to be here.

Munce's sole Cup win on Jezabeel in 1998 remains the highlight of his career and a painting of the mare in the study of his Hendra home and a small statue painted in her colours are permanent reminders of the day.

"It's history isn't it? It's a Melbourne Cup. If I retire tomorrow, I will retire as a Melbourne Cup-winning jockey,'' he beamed.

No Melbourne Cup win is without drama but Jezabeel's win was especially memorable.

It followed an epic tussle with another New Zealand mare, Champagne, who clawed out a neck advantage over Jezabeel before being ground down in the final 100m. It was one of the few times in Cup history that a horse has been headed down the straight and won.

"The win was a bit surreal,'' Munce said.

"I got to the stage where I thought I would have been happy to run second. We were a neck behind Champagne and I thought that was it but I was still excited at the thought running second in a Melbourne Cup.

"But then she got going again and the adrenalin kicked in and the hairs on the back of the neck stood up. It was a dream come true.''

Jockey Chris Munce is congratulated by trainer Gai Waterhouse after riding Dance Hero to victory in the 2006 Salinger Stakes. Picture: Nicole Garmston

MUNCE'S MAJORS

Group 1 wins: 43

Major wins:

1998 Melbourne Cup, Jezabeel

1998 Golden Slipper, Prowl

2004 Golden Slipper, Dance Hero

2004 Cox Plate, Savabeel

2010 Caulfield Cup, Descarado

Is one of only seven jockeys to capture racing's Grand Slam by riding a winner of the Melbourne Cup, Golden Slipper, Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate.