Queensland hoops are being encouraged to update their details in the Jockey Availability Calendar on the Queensland Racing Industry Support Program website.
The calendar is a joint initiative between QRISP and the Australian Trainers’ Association, and shows a rider’s contact details, riding weight, what meetings they’ll be riding at over coming months, as well as any injuries or suspensions.
The ATA’s Queensland State Executive Cameron Partington said there were many benefits for jockeys to post their contact and availability in one-stop website, with trainers now able to easily identify where and when a hoop is riding.
“It’s a very simple online alphabetical jockey list…if nothing else, if you just want the jockey’s phone number to call them, and you haven’t got your RACE magazine on you, this is where you can go,” Partington said.
“Those jockeys update their riding locations, then trainers who are looking for riders go to that particular date and scroll down and see who’s riding at that location that day.
“That is particularly useful on a Saturday where there’s seven or eight venues.
“If jockeys are out with injury or suspension, they can let people know so trainers are not ringing their number and wasting their time, with the jockey having to answer it and then say ‘I’m suspended.’
“It’s basically jockeys saying what they are doing for the upcoming two or three weeks, and as we know they are booked out in advance – in the bush, it’s hard to get a jockey and in the city they want the best jockeys.”
Jockeys simply need to message 0433 329 395 or email cam@cam247.net to update their availability.
QRISP is part of the Licensees Assistance Association and offers emotional and financial support to those working in the thoroughbred racing industry.
Through injury or misfortune, QRISP try and assist in ways to get them back on their feet, and most importantly show them that their industry cares about them.
When QRISP is made aware of racing industry participants in need, they can step in with whatever assistance available – usually financial help.
Further, the QRISP holiday unit at Caloundra offers racing participants a beach getaway with their families at a hugely reduced cost, without the usual hassles and conditions.
Click here to access the QRISP website.