Star Tasmanian jockey Craig Newitt believes it is embarrassing that racing's industry support package does not include any financial help for jockeys and drivers
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Details of Tasracing's package were announced Wednesday, with chief executive Paul Eriksson saying the welfare of racing animals was top of mind during discussions with industry, which will see payments go to thoroughbred, harness and greyhound trainers.
The $2 million scheme is funded through savings achieved by Tasracing during the shutdown and a loan from the State Government that can be drawn down as required, with Tasracing saying jockeys and drivers should be eligible for JobKeeper payments.
After letting his thoughts known on social media on Wednesday night, Newitt reiterated his feelings by saying he believed the entire racing family should have benefited, a belief that has been backed up by the Tasmanian Jockeys Association.
General manager Kevin Ring on Thursday confirmed he had written to Eriksson and Tasracing to see if they can find a way to ensure some financial help goes the way of jockeys before May 1, when the first JobKeeper payments should be due.
"We thought we may get a small cut of it, and don't me wrong, I know animal welfare is a big part of it, but you would have thought if the industry has that money, it would be divided fairly to all participants,'' Devonport's Newitt said.
"While I can only speak for myself, I actually think this is quite embarrassing.
"Everyone plays a part from the owners, to the trainers, to the jockeys, to the barrier staff to the photographers to the bloke who walks around the mounting yard picking up the poo after they have left the mounting yard every race.
"Everyone should be entitled to a small slice of the pie, and we got none, and I just can't wrap my head around that fact."
Newitt, who believed the racing shutdown will cripple the industry and was fearful the impact on prize money in the future, confirmed he would be applying for the JobKeeper payment.
He said was also looking at other racing avenues interstate.
Ring said the fact jockeys wouldn't get any payment until next month was not good enough, hence why he has made the request
"They should be getting something from the industry to look after them, and any amount will help,'' he said.
"It is not just about the horses, these people still have to eat and they all have families."
No payments will be made to horses that are spelling, only horses in work, while all greyhounds that are registered on OzChase are potentially entitled to a payment.
Information provided by trainers will be checked and verified by the Office of Racing Integrity stewards.
The scheme will be backdated to April 1, with Tasracing and the industry will work with the government and the Department of Health to determine the criteria and conditions for a return to racing.