Jockey Jose Verenzuela is making his riding comeback this Friday after a mix-up in his work permit saw him miss the last seven Singapore meetings.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
Unaware that his Ministry of Manpower work permit had expired, the Venezuelan rider went to work as usual at the Kranji meeting on July 7 only to be told upon arrival he would not be allowed to ride until he renews the precious document.
Verenzuela explained the oversight came as a result of a confusion regarding his six-month visiting jockey’s licence because of its unusual time slot. Contrary to other expatriate jockeys whose tenure normally commences from January 1 over a half-year or full-year period, his began on March 1 and is due to end on August 31.
Verenzuela had to summarily forego his three rides Equisitely Sweet, Flax and Beautiful World on that day, and though it would have been some consolation none of them won on that day, he had to endure an anxious wait in the next two weeks.
“There was a confusion in the paperwork as jockey’s licences normally end in June, but mine ends in August,” said Verenzuela.
“It was disappointing, but it was an oversight from my part. The law is the law, and I had to comply, but it’s all sorted now as the permit was approved last week, and I can’t wait to get back in the saddle this weekend.
“As I could not ride trackwork either, I’ve been hitting the gym every day, but luckily, I’ve maintained my weight and I’m fit enough to return to the saddle.”
Booked for seven rides spread over Friday and Sunday, including the likes of Cash Dot Com, Bravo, My Shine for trainer Desmond Koh and Notipsnotips for trainer Leslie Khoo, Verenzuela, whose eighth and last 2013 winner Rappor came at his last meeting on July 5, said the two weeks of enforced holiday had been hard to cop, especially after Flax won the Group 2 Chairman’s Trophy (1800m) with jockey Barend Vorster up last Sunday.
“It’s cost me three or four winners for sure, especially Flax in the big race last Sunday. I wanted to hang myself after he won,” said Verenzuela, who has partnered the David Hill-trained gelding to five of his seven wins, including last October’s Group 1 Raffles Cup.
“Mind you, I was at the races, cheering and rooting for him. When he came from second spot to hit the front, I was screaming my head off.
“I was so happy he won and has made a comeback to the winner’s circle, but I was also feeling sad I was not on top of him.”
Verenzuela himself is looking forward to getting back to the Kranji winner's circle - and beyond August 31, as he is now waiting for an outcome to his application for an extension of his visiting jockey’s licence till December.
