LAST season’s leading apprentice Tasmanian Bulent Muhcu has booked a one-way ticket back to Turkey for what will be an indefinite return to his place of birth.
Muhcu delivered a masterful ride aboard Hugo in the Sydeston Night Cup in Launceston last Wednesday night to secure a berth for the gelding in next week’s Betfair Launceston Cup.
He did it for his master Brendan McShane who prepares Hugo for a popular group of owners.
McShane said Muhcu had been a great asset to the stable but he also admitted he and his family were sad to see Muhcu leaving the state because they treat him as one of the family.
“Bulent is a wonderful young man who is going home to be with his family and it is important for him that they can see what he has become as far as riding is concerned,” McShane said.
“We wish him well and there will always be a place for him at our home and riding for our stable,” he said.
When Muhcu dismounted from Hugo last Wednesday night he looked to his master and raised his whip to his brow to signal job done.
“I wanted to win on this horse tonight because it was very important for Brendan (McShane),” Muhcu said.
“This is my last meeting riding in Tasmania for some time, exactly how long I do not know.”
“I need to go home to Turkey and ride over there for two reasons.”
“I want to ride winners in my home country because that is very important to me but I also want my family to see first hand what I do for a living and for them to see me ride winners in Turkey would be the best,” he said.
Muhcu leaves Tasmania lying in sixth place on the Tasmanian Jockeys Premiership with 17 winners and 52 minor placings.
His biggest win came last season when he guided the Shirley Berger-trained Red Eagle to an all-the-way win in the $100,000 Devonport Cup.
Muhcu said he will return to ride in Tasmania but he can’t put a time limit on how long it will take him to fulfil his personal assignment in Turkey.