Top FNQ jockey backs new moves to keep riders safe
RESPECTED local rider Shane Pawsey has welcomed the changes to keep jockeys safe and riding throughout the coronavirus crisis.
The 49-year-old Pawsey was one of the hoops oncourse at Cairns’ Cannon Park on Saturday afternoon, who kept their distance from fellow riders following changes to guidelines from Racing Queensland.
RQ initiated temperature testing for jockeys at Eagle Farm last Saturday, which continued on Wednesday in Brisbane, and will soon be rolled out across all other TAB clubs in Queensland.
Increased segregation has also been introduced, with additional spaces used by oncourse participants from standard race meetings. The experienced Pawsey believes the changes are for the best.
“It is all right, we are quite fortunate that we are in a situation where we can still race and earn a quid,” Pawsey said.
“If it gets any further and we cannot earn, it has a massive effect on everyone, trainers, jockeys and the whole lot.
“And, if these people lose their jobs, where are we going to get them in the future?
“They would need to move on and find other work.
“We need to make sure all this is being done well, the way we are now and just keep chipping away.”
RQ CEO Brendan Parnell says the Queensland racing industry is aware of the gravity of the situation and that people’s livelihoods are at stake.
“The Queensland racing industry sustains 11,570 full-time jobs and provides more than $850 million in salaries and wages and we know that our stakeholders are desperate to continue their operations,” Parnell said.
“We will continue to comply with the directives of the Government and the respective health agencies in order to limit the spread of Covid-19.”
The precautions will continue at Townsville this Saturday afternoon when they race a TAB day.
Tablelands jockey Rhiannon Payne says everyone in the industry needs to be diligent.
“Just trying to stay away from shopping centres, washing our hands, there is not much we can do, we just need to do our best,” Payne said.