THE comeback of former jailbird Chris Munce is now complete.

The Melbourne Cup-, Golden Slipper- and Cox Plate-winning jockey stormed back to the top when claiming a winning double at Randwick yesterday including the Villiers Stakes in a three-way thriller.

"What a day, what an amazing day," Munce said at the post-race presentation.

"I'd like to thank all those involved for having me here and the public for all the support, for being very supportive of [wife] Cathy and my three kids, who are all here today.

"I'm so proud I can come back here and win a race like this at Randwick."

Munce made an impact early when claiming the second race on Angel's Breath, which was the first metropolitan winner for the jockey since he returned to the saddle last Friday week.

Munce had spent all but one month of the past 21 in prisons.

He was was caught by Hong Kong's anti-corruption commission for his part in the notorious "tips for bets" bribery scandal.

The first seven months of the prison term was spent in Hong Kong and the last 13 in Sydney's Silverwater jail.

Munce, who landed a winning double at Hawkesbury last Sunday after missing out at Rosehill on the Saturday, had wife Cathy and children Corey, Connor and Caitlan to cheer him on headquarters yesterday.

"I thought I had some chances, good rides," Munce said.

"I back right, I'm just moving on, the past is the past, I'm just carrying on. I'm here to ride and win."

Something Anything found plenty of trouble but Munce remained cool when the Villiers intensified.

The outsiders Rags To Riches and the Gold Coast galloper Hey Elvis looked to set to fight out the finish but Munce punched up on the inside.

The photo had just about every one thinking it was dead-heat, but the official margin was a nose, with a short head between second and third, with Hey Elvis declared the runner-up.

For eight-time premiership winning jockey Ron Quinton, the winning return of Munce put a huge smile on the his dial.

Quinton had legged Munce aboard form filly Angel's Breath and Munce gave it the perfect ride.

"It is just lovely for Chris," Quinton, now a trainer, said. "My owners and myself were very keen to give to give him an opportunity to win his first one back in town. I'm delighted . so tinkled pink I could do it for him."

As Quinton pointed out the pair have been producing winners for a while now.

"We hark back to the VRC Oaks in 2002 with Bulla [Bulla Borghese] and I haven't forgot it," Quinton said.

Asked about Munce's navigation of Angel's Breath, which made it three victories in a row, Quinton replied: "He followed the instructions to the letter."

Munce reckons the special moment was made even better because of the involvement of Quinton, who apart from training racehorses is heavily involved in tutoring apprentices via Racing NSW.

"An absolute superstar to ride for," Munce said. "We go back a fair way with horses, riding in races, none better to ride for than Ronnie. I was privileged to ride a winner for Ronnie today."

Despite her winning form, Angel's Breath was a drifter at $5.50 but after sitting in the box seat behind the speed, the filly found plenty to stave off Vintedge ($26) when scoring by a head.

"She travelled up lovely, dropped the bit in the run. She is a nice filly, has a lot of courage," Munce said.

"I think there are some big things in store for her. She was still pretty solid at the end."

Quinton said: "She has a bit of guts, she is a real trier."

Debut winner Empire Place was backed from $1.90 in to $1.75, and after racing outside the leader, was attacked mid-race when Blackbriar took off from the back. The move took its toll on Empire Place, which could manage only sixth. A NARROW NOSE

RACING NSW chief steward Ray Murrihy hasn't seen anything like yesterday's Villiers Stakes finish at Randwick.

"I've never seen a closer finish that hasn't been a dead-heat," Murrihy said shortly after the judge declared Something Anything a winner by a nose over Hey Elvis. "The nub of the nose, Something Anything's nose, is just in front."

Paul Hammersley, rider of the runner-up, saw the official photo finish in the stewards' room and conceded defeat. "Can you believe it?" Hammersley asked.

Hey Elvis's trainer, Bruce Hill, also had a viewing in the stewards room. "I didn't know when they hit the line," Hill said before entering the stipes' domain.

"First look at the angle on the screen I thought he got beat - it was a skinny bee's dick."

Murrihy said it was a "terrible" way to lose a group 2 race.