The threat of a jockeys' strike is hanging over the race meeting at Spreyton on Sunday, with the possibility that the eight-race program will be called off or go ahead with apprentice riders only.
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Tasmanian Jockeys Association general manager Kevin Ring officially notified the Office Of Racing Integrity and Tasracing on Friday afternoon that senior jockeys would not be riding at the meeting "due to safety concerns".
Specifically, he said jockeys were concerned that approval had been given for two new apprentices to have their first rides at the meeting without any consultation with the TJA or senior riders.
He said the TJA had previously voiced their concerns about this policy.
"Traditionally there has been a process whereby senior jockeys are consulted on the progress of apprentices with regard to competency, safe riding and ability," he said.
"This process worked well under previous chief stewards including Wade Hadley and Anthony O'Connell.
"(But) in recent years this seems to have been ignored."
Ring said a similar process was in place in South Australia and Western Australia.
"In WA, the Jockeys Association literally has to sign-off on apprentice jockeys before they are cleared to ride in races," he said.
Ring has requested a meeting with ORI and Tasracing to work on a policy that is suitable for all.
"In the meantime, it's up to ORI whether Sunday's meeting goes ahead," he said.
Ring said the senior jockeys would not be backing down from their position which leaves three possibilities --
ORI stands down the two new apprentices pending consultations with the TJA and the meeting goes ahead as normal.
The meeting goes ahead with apprentices only (six are available for all races but the two new apprentices under ORI guidelines are restricted to two races each and can only ride horses trained by their masters).
Or the meeting is called off.
Ring said he had spoken to Tasracing CEO Paul Eriksson late on Friday afternoon and was told "the meeting would be going ahead".
ORI said there was no defined process requiring consultation with senior jockeys but it will work with all parties to develop one.