Jockey Chris Symons' lucky escape after being bitten by crocodile

Jockey Chris Symons has escaped major injuries after being attacked by a crocodile at his animal farm near Mornington, Melbourne.

Symons was moving the 1.4-metre saltwater croc, Crikey, to a different enclosure at The Funky Farm when the reptile snapped about 11am yesterday.

“He just outwitted me, I dropped my guard and he got me on the wrist,” Symons told 9News this afternoon.

Despite the shock attack, the 36-year-old said he kept his cool.

“I actually didn’t know I’d been bitten, and my wife actually mentioned when I had secured (Crikey) that I had lacerations on my wrist,” he said.

Symons went to hospital to undergo minor surgery, and he quickly realised that the unique story of his attack had perks.

“I got straight to the front of the queue once I’d mentioned I’d been bitten by a crocodile,” he said with a laugh.

Along with his passion for reptiles, Symons has carved out a successful riding career, winning more than 1000 races, with his total prize money totalling $38,627,955.

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