Homesickness prompted colourful jockey Wayne Davis to return to Darwin after spending three and a half months in Geraldton.
Davis, 52, spent over a decade in the Top End before deciding to relocate to WA when he felt that he could not cope with another build-up and wet season.
By making the move he believed it would prolong his career, but in the end he just missed Darwin.
Having ridden all over Australia in a career that is now entering its 36th year, Davis left for Geraldton following the Fannie Bay meeting on September 9.
It was October 5 when Davis made his Geraldton debut.
Davis had two wins, six seconds, and four thirds from 61 starts at Geraldton and was unplaced in two starts at Moora, 277km from home.
It was January 13 when Davis made his last Geraldton appearance, and he has picked up five rides when the Darwin Turf Club hosts its annual Australia Day meeting.
“There’s no place like home, the old boy got a bit home sick,” Davis said.
“I had my sea change, but Darwin is for me having been here for so long – there was a lot that I did miss when I was in Geraldton.
“It was nice to have a break and enjoy a change of scenery, ride at a different track, have a bit of a look around, meet some very good people and ride different horses.
“I have a lot of terrific friends here in Darwin and there’s a lot of people in stable street at Fannie Bay that I’m very fond of and quite close to.
“I was missing all of that, as well as the lifestyle, and headed back – I’m now looking forward to Friday.”
Davis does not regret making the move to WA, adding that he enjoyed his time in Geraldton.
The wet season is in full swing in the NT and it’s set to be a muddy dirt surface at Fannie Bay on Friday due to incessant rain, but Davis is relieved he missed build up.
“I was riding back on grass in Geraldton – in the end I put it down to the fact that I basically had a working holiday,” he said.
“It’s great to be back and apart from catching up with a lot of friends it hasn’t taken me long to feel comfortable back in Darwin.”
He had no joy when he last appeared at Fannie Bay, but Davis could mark his return in style on Friday should the Chris Pollard-trained six-year-old gelding Lucky Dog salute against 0-70 opposition in the $40,000 Lightning Wet Season Series Final (1200m).
Lucky Dog, the son of Time For War, finished second in the race last year.
“He’s drawn a lovely gate in two and trainer Chris Pollard has got the polish on him,” Davis said.
“I’m very excited because he’s also a last start winner – winning form is good form.
“By no means is it going to be an easy mission, but hopefully he’ll be a major player.”
Davis, who spent three and a half years riding for leading NT trainer Phil Cole before heading west, will freelance as a jockey and ride track work for the likes of Cole, Pollard and Peter Stennett.
Returning to track work on Tuesday morning, it felt as though he hadn’t left Darwin.
“I was only gone for three and a half months, not three and a half years,” he said.
“I’ve got five rides out of the six races come Friday, but it’s going to be a tough day.
“It’s a terrific card and there are some really smart horses going around, so it should be a great day for the Darwin Turf Club and everyone involved.”
Finally, it wasn’t smooth sailing for Davis after farewelling Geraldton.
“I made a couple of stops along the way at Carnarvon, Karratha and Broome,” he said.
“Got to Kununurra and with the big floods there the roads were closed.
“There was every chance I would be stuck in Kununurra.
“I jumped on a plane on Friday and flew back to Darwin.
“I was fortunate enough to leave my car at a mate’s place.
“Had a few days off to rest up and straight back into track work Tuesday morning.
“When things dry up and the roads are clear, I’ll hop on a plane, fly across to Kununurra, jump in the car and drive back – it’s only eight hours.
“Until then it’s home sweet home for me and it’s now onwards and upwards.”
Davis is also a Group 1 winning jockey having won the Winfield Classic – now the Coolmore Classic (1500m) – aboard Acushla Marie at Rosehill in 1992.
He also won the 1992 Darwin Cup aboard Clam’s Comet for Cranbourne trainer Tony Harrison.
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