FORMER Queensland jockey Chris Munce will be allowed to return to Australia to serve his jail sentence by the end of next week.
Munce, 37, has spent the past six months in a Hong Kong prison after being charged with giving race tips to big punters for cash.
The father-of-three will be taken to Silverwater Prison in Sydney after being accompanied by two Australian prison officers on his journey home.
He may then be transferred to a minimum security prison in Sydney's western suburbs.
Munce rose from an apprentice in Queensland to ride the 1998 Melbourne Cup winner Jezabeel.
He was arrested in Hong Kong in July last year with $37,000 in his jeans.
Munce's original sentence was 30 months' jail with a minimum of 20 months to serve.
But under the exchange arrangements with Hong Kong, he may now have to serve his full term.
Family friends are hopeful an appeal could be launched to reduce the prison time because Munce's actions are not illegal under Australian law.
It is against racing rules for jockeys to offer tips for cash and the Hong Kong Jockey Club may issue a racing ban which would be enforceable in Australia.
NSW Justice Minister John Hatzistergos said the jockey has more chance of rehabilitation if allowed to serve the remainder of his jail term closer to his family.
Plans are set to hold a fund-raising dinner for Munce in Sydney on September 21.
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