IN his popular column, ‘SILKS & SADDLES,’ published in the NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, respected racing writer, TERRY BUTTS, reports on the requested intervention of a Parliamentarian to stop the deportation of a top North Queensland jockey.
His column also includes an item on top Sydney jockey Tommy Berry riding at the Rockhampton Newmarket meeting next month.
Here is the Butts column:
PARLIAMENTARIAN ASKED TO INTERVENE TO SAVE DEPORTATION OF JOCKEY
OUTSPOKEN northern MP Warren Entsch has been summoned to intervene in the long going battle between leading jockey Wanderson D’avila and the Immigration Department.
Far North Queensland Racing Association secretary Rob Koch has written to the Member requesting that he go into bat for the Brazilian who lives in fear of being deported.
Immigration says D’avila – ninth on the State’s jockey premiership and currently North Queensland’s leading jockey – is not entitled to a resident visa because, according to the jockey, “I failed two (written) English tests.
“They said my written English is not good enough.
“I said I am a jockey – not a doctor or something like that.”
And more importantly he is not a dole bludger, terrorist, nor an impediment on Government in any shape or form.
In fact he belongs to a profession of which there is a severe shortage in North Queensland and he should be encouraged and assisted to stay. Instead he has been threatened with expulsion.
The treatment he has thus far received from this Government has been in a word ‘disgraceful.’
The Brazilian international has been in Australia for six years. He has no communication problems according to the stewards he rides under, and the jockeys he rides against say he understands perfectly.
The distinguished talent visa under which he currently resides is due to expire and, in spite of solid support from within the industry, he fears he will be deported.
Mr Entsch is the jockey’s last hope.
This is part of the letter forwarded to the Member for Leichardt by Mr Koch:
To: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.'
Cc: 'Darren Condon (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)'; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Subject: Wanderson D'avila - VISA
Dear Warren
Leading FNQ jockey Wanderson D'avila is having extreme difficulties extending or renewing his Visa to remain in Australia.
He has recently re sat the IELTS test and I believe has not received the required pass and now is in fear of the knock on the door advising him that he needs to leave the country.
Wanderson is a much wanted and needed jockey in this region, his potential departure would not only rob us of this talented international jockey but it would split him from his child from a previous relationship and force his current partner and fiancé local horse trainer Sharlee Hoffmann to seriously consider cancelling her trainer’s license and departing with him. This would be a double whammy to the racing industry in this region.
As a racing enthusiast yourself I hope you will make contact with Wanderson and Sharlee and give some assistance and direction in this urgent matter.
{Signed) Rob Koch, Cairns.
TOMMY BERRY TO RIDE IN ROCKHAMPTON ON NEWMARKET DAY
ACE jockey Tommy Berry will ride at Callaghan Park on Newmarket Day (June18), which this year will also a feature a memorial race for the late Col Donovan.
Berry has been riding the Donovan family’s star sprinter Our Boy Malachi in recent starts and his appearance is a great coup for the Rockhampton Jockey Club which has hosted several star jockeys over the years.
As well as riding on Newmarket Day, Berry will be guest speaker at the Cup Calcutta luncheon the following day.
He will also assist in raising money for the National Jockeys’ Trust – a cause close to his heart following the passing of his jockey twin brother Nathan last year.
Friday’s Calcutta will feature an auction of racing memorabilia with all proceeds going to the Jockeys’ Trust.
A similar auction conducted at the Capricornia Yearling Sale raised $10,000 for the National Jockeys’ Trust.
The Jockeys’ Trust is also close to the hearts of the Rockhampton racing community which lost jockey Carly-Mae Pye after a jump-out fall last October and a memorial race in her honor will be held at Callaghan Park on Caulfield Cup Day.
The Newmarket Day memorial race for Donovan is fitting as his sprinter Our Boy Malachi won the 1300m feature back-to-back in 2013 and 2014 during an 11-race winning streak on Central Queensland racetracks.
CAIRNS JOCKEY CLUB SHOULD PROGRAM MEMORIAL RACE FOR GEORGE DOOLAN
TALKING of memorial races one would have thought Cairns might have honored long time trainer George Doolan who passed away recently after a long illness.
George was definitely one of the best known – if not THE best known trainer in the far north, yet while Rocky will remember Col Donovan, and Townsville Turf Club paid due homage to Johnny Ross and Jim Swift with memorials last year – Cairns quite noticeably has (to date) chosen not to.
George might not have agreed with every decision the CJC has made over the years – and sure he made certain everyone knew his grievances – but there is no denying he was a great contributor to racing – and that’s what he should be recognized for,
It’s not too late.
TRAINER’S DAUGHTER HAS FAIRY-TALE START TO HER OWN CAREER
SAMANTHA Molino, daughter of popular Townsville trainer and former top jockey Alby, had a fairy-tale beginning to her new career at Atherton on Saturday.
Sam was only recently granted a trainer’s license and had her very first starter Rising King in the Maiden. And, with partner, Irishman Stephen Wilson in the saddle, it duly won – a winning debut for horse and trainer.
Sam, as nursing sister, recently relocated to the far north where she has a few in work and where Stephen has quickly established himself on the far northern circuit.
However, the joy of winning with her first starter was overshadowed somewhat when the young trainer learned that one of her promising youngsters had to be put down after suffering a fatal snake bite.
WINTER RACING SCHEDULE IN DISARRAY BECAUSE OF CLUDEN CLOSURE
THE winter racing schedule is in absolute disarray with the Cluden track restructure causing chaos. And most complaints are from the fashion houses, apparently.
“We won’t have winter fashions if Townsville doesn’t race in July,” was the cry from one fashionista who thinks racing is put on for ladies to dress up, play up and…well fizz up.
But with the NQ Amateurs now likely to return to its old date – Cox Plate day at the end of October – there could be a rebirth of spring fashion for the ladies.
The Townville Amateurs was always held on that date when sponsored by CUB – and it was arguably the best two-day racing carnival in the north – Cairns Amateurs included.
Now is the chance for the club that has been in the doldrums for a long period to bounce back.
A change in Cup distance might also be a consideration. In the good old days it was 1400m – then for some reason was changed to 1960m.
With the Rocky Cup now 1600m (and a full field every year) it might be an opportune time to look at an NQ Amateur Cup over the same trip.
And then there is the clash with Ewan that is bound to have some repercussions. This year Ewan will race on Saturday, September 19, a week before the Townsville Cup and will clash with Ladies Day at Cluden.
Not ideal – but at this stage considered unavoidable.
FASHIONS ON THE FIELD WITH A DIFFERENCE THANKS TO BACKPACKERS
The Fashions on the Field was a little different at Atherton on Saturday.
Backpackers on the Tablelands decided to make the races ‘a day out and they had a ball.’
Backpacker support of the meeting followed on from the two previous meetings at Innisfail where the backpackers were bussed in from their accommodation for the day
Up to 50 of these youngsters were at the Atherton meeting, backing winners and creating their own fun – but the highlight was the fashions on the field.
About 20 turned out crossed dressed, not sure whether in the men’s or women’s categories, but the parade was an absolute hoot.
“There were tears of laughter from the appreciative crowd,” said one onlooker.
COLUMN COURTESY OF TERRY BUTTS AND THE NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, one of Australia's leading rural newspapers.
TERRY BUTTS can be contacted by e-mailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
