More pages in this section
D’Avila Gives Cluden Riding Ranks Much Needed Boost
D’Avila gives Cluden riding ranks much needed boost
Nomadic jockey Wanderson D’Avila is a hard man to tie down, but he’s back in town and keen to again be a force in the northern riding ranks.
The Brazilian born hoop, something of a mystery man of racing, will continue his latest northern sojourn with a strong book of rides at Cluden Park on Saturday.
D’Avila made his name in the north as the number one rider for trainer Roy Chillemi and owner Tom Hedley, bagging 148 winners for the north’s most formidable operation.
He also rode almost 50 winners for respected Atherton trainer and former partner Sharlee Hoffman.
But in recent years the 49-year-old has been constantly on the move, traversing the east coast, and even venturing to Darwin, in search of new opportunities.
This week the 49-year-old said he was happy to be back in Townsville to give the north another go.
“I’m still waiting for a couple of little things to be confirmed so I can say that I’ll be based here for certain, but at this stage it’s a yes,” D’Avila said.
“Last year unfortunately I had three falls and that really set me back and made it very hard.
“I came back here to be closer to my boys and there’s more opportunities for me up here.
“I can ride 54kg as well which should make it easier to pick up rides.”
D’Avila has had a strong record at Cluden going back to when he first arrived in Australia almost 15 years ago.
Riding for Mt Isa trainer Jay Morris and owner Graham Saunders, D’Avila won the 2010 Cleveland Bay Hcp on Heart in one of his first rides on the track.
He later went on to ride for Chillemi’s Atherton stables in a partnership that produced multiple premierships and feature race wins.
Stints in Townsville, NSW and the south-east corner of Queensland followed in the intervening years, but the north has always been the closest thing to home.
Since arriving back in the city just before Christmas, D’Avila landed his 179th Cluden winner aboard the Bill Kenning-trained Wicklow Lass.
He backed that up with a winning treble at Innisfail and a double at Atherton.
“I really like riding in Townsville,” D’Avila said.
“When I was with Roy Chillemi he had the best horses and we had a
good time together.
“We won the premierships together. My plan is to base myself here and also ride in Cairns and Mackay and tracks in between.
“The injuries are catching up to me a bit. We’re not getting any younger.
“As long as the body will let me, I’ll ride as long as I can.
“I’m not 20 anymore, but I think I can keep it going for a bit longer yet.
Like every jockey, D’Avila held a dream of someday making it in the city.
But as time marches on he says he’s now content to focus on making a living in the regions.
“It’s all done mate. I’ve been riding for 33 years. I started when I was 15. I’ve won races pretty much everywhere I’ve been in cities in Brazil, England, America and Asia,” D’Avila said.
“In Australia on a working visa I had to spend a lot of time up this way and then I made a family.
“I eventually tried to make it in the city but it just never happened for me here.
“It wasn’t meant to be but at least I had a go.
“At this stage of my life I’m happy to stay in Townsville. As long as I can pay my bills and make my living I’ll be happy.
“I’ll keep knocking on doors, and letting people know I’m here and hope to get more opportunities.
“Bill Kenning has been good, Graham Hughes too and a few other trainers are also putting me on so hopefully that will pick up.
“I’ve won the big sprints in Townsville and Cairns, and won the Cairns amateur Cup, but the race I’d really love to win before I finish up is the Townsville Cup.”
D’Avila has seven rides on Saturday’s eight event card which kicks off with the Vanilly 60th Classic QTIS 2YOHcp (1000m) at 1.04pm.
He has good prospects on Wicklow Lass and Cosmic Atom for the Bill Kenning stable, as well as Our Folly, Talons and Prince Akeem for trainer Graham Hughes and Caldente for Trevor and Peter Rowe.