IN his popular column, ‘SILKS & SADDLES,’ published by the NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, respected racing writer TERRY BUTTS reports on the comeback of a top jockey after an absence of more than 12 years from the saddle.
He also has column items on the appointment of a new Chief Steward for Townsville and lists the reasons why Racing Queensland needs to get it right.
Here is the Butts column on the eve of his departure for the Hong Kong International, scene of his old stamping ground:
GRAHAM WATSON MAKES COMEBACK TO SADDLE AFTER MORE THAN 12 YEARS
NORTH Queensland riding ranks will get a much needed boost with the return to the saddle of Graham Watson after an absence of more than 12 years.
Watson, a former prominent Brisbane lightweight jockey with several big race wins on his CV, hopes to be back before Christmas.
It is welcome news for trainers in the north who have seen the riding ranks decimated in the past decade and several horses at several race meetings have been scratched because of the unavailability of riders.
Watson has been riding regular track work at Cluden for the past three months but says he has not ‘been in a hurry’.
“I want to be fit and ready for the return.
“I am happy with my condition. I pulled up well after riding in trials last week and I am just about there,” he said
WATSON SAYS QUITE BECAUSE HE ‘SIMPLY GOT SICK OF RACE RIDING’
WATSON left the riding scene in 2001 after a successful career in both Brisbane and North Queensland because he was simply ‘sick of it.’
“Besides, I was battling injuries like fractured wrists and collar bones – and quite frankly I was tired of riding bad horses.
“I just wanted a break.”
But he said he was as keen as ever for the comeback that he has actually contemplated for a ‘long time’.
In fact, Watson says he had never planned to be out so long. The delay had a lot to do with his employment situation but those restrictions have now changed.
Watson has ridden over 1000 winners (1019 to be exact) and has tasted success and placings in Group races, including two seconds in the Stradbroke aboard Goldorme and Paris Beau.
He won two Goldmarkets and also a Castlemaine Stakes aboard a horse named Hunter.
He served his apprenticeship with Barry Miller and Ted Best and at one stage was one of the most sought after lightweight jockeys in the state.
He has never had trouble with his weight and will still ride the minimum when he returns.
In fact next year ‘I will be the same weight as my age – 48.5 he says with the wicked grin that has been a G Watson trade mark ....for…well 48 years!
NOMINATIONS FOR CHIEF STEWARD IN TOWNSVILLE CLOSE THIS WEEK
NOMINATIONS for the position of Chief Stipendiary Steward to serve the north close this week but already there is speculation that the job is just about done deal.
Vibes from down south suggest a former high profile jockey with international experience has the right ‘backing’ for the position, which to northerners is somewhat of a surprise.
There was a general feeling among those licensees that the position might be filled by a person with strong local affiliation – and this columnist is led to believe there are at least two applicants who fit that criteria.
But if the ‘mail’ is right, the job will go to an outsider who is keen to make his mark in what is a relatively new career path for him.
Townsville has been temporary base for a succession of stewards in recent years. There has been three Chief Stipes in as many years.
Yet in previous decades there was a very stable panel that was headed by Alan Cooper. Among many young stewards to graduate under his guidance and direction is the current Chairman of RQ Stewards Wade Birch.
THIS IS ONE APPOINTMENT THAT RACING QUEENSLAND NEEDS TO GET RIGHT
THIS is one position that RQ must get right and the decision must be made without any prejudice. The successful applicant must be capable of fulfilling all the conditions required for a Chief Stipe.
This job has been a stop-gap position for too long, with some very ordinary choices being made along the way which have resulted in the delivery of some very ordinary judicial decisions.
Hopefully the selection process will deliver the right man for the job this time.
One able to bring much needed stability, experience and above all guidance not only to the panel of young stewards he will inherit but also to all licences.
And importantly, reinstate respect, so clearly lacking.
HEADING BACK TO MY OLD STOMPING GROUND WHEN IT ALL BEGAN
YOUR scribe is off to Honkers this week for the Longines-sponsored international race meetings at Happy Valley on Wednesday night and the big Group 1 card at Sha Tin on Sunday.
It is a truly international carnival.
I am looking forward to returning, especially to racing at my old hunting ground of Happy Valley that races under lights on what it really a spectacular gala night of racing.
The track may not be the greatest in the world, serious punters steer clear, just as they do at Mooney Valley.
And that’s exactly what it is – Happy Valley is the Mooney Valley of the east.
But it’s not all just racing in the former British colony. It’s all about partying, big time.
INTERNATIONAL RACES STARTED IN 1988 WHEN IT WAS OPEN TO OVERSEAS HORSES
The LONGINES Hong Kong International Races go back to 1988 when the Invitation Cup was first run.
It was the first Hong Kong race open to overseas competitors.
Today it is known far and wide as The Turf World Championships and last year the four International Races at Sha Tin were ranked among the world’s top 50 Group 1 races.
It’s a far cry from the days when Shanghai ponies trained by Russian refugees and ridden by amateur jockeys charged down the Happy Valley straight.
Sha Tin, now a bustling and booming satellite city, was merely a little fishing village on the one and only road to mainland China back then.
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.