Thoroughbred sector seeking face-to-face meeting with Tasmanian premier

The suspension of Tasmanian racing has hit the industry hard and now the thoroughbred sector wants to meet the Premier face-to-face to get some answers.

Tasmanian premier Peter Gutwein looks on as Public Health director Mark Veitch addresses the media during the Tasmanian Government coronavirus update. Picture: Zak Simmonds

THE state’s thoroughbred industry has requested a meeting with Premier Peter Gutwein and Director of Public Health, Dr Mark Veitch, over their handling of the return to racing policy announced last Friday.

Tasmanian racing was shut down on April 2 with Public Health’s advice based on the industry needing to travel from region to region to conduct its business which was considered a major risk factor.

As part of the Government’s road to recovery released by the Premier last Friday, racing was listed to return on June 13 but subject to a review by Public Health and a risk assessment by Workplace Safety.

The push for a hearing with the Premier and Public Health is being led by Kevin Ring, who is general manager of the Tasmanian Jockeys Association and the Occupational Health and Safety Officer for the Australian Jockeys Association.

“I have sent a letter to the Premier and Director of Public Health today explaining why we need a face-to-face meeting with those decision makers who have delivered a return to racing date that needs to be refined,” Ring said.

“As I’ve explained in my letter to the Premier and Dr Veitch, Tasmania had as good, if not better, than the protocols that exists in racing on the mainland and all of those jurisdictions have continued to race throughout this pandemic,

“It needs to be made clear that tracks we race on are workplaces and not places for outdoor gatherings.

“It is getting to the stage now where mental health issues among our participants are going to become more prevalent that just playing out a waiting game to get back to racing.

“The racing industry nationally has not encountered one case of COVID-19 and even when there was an issue where jockeys had been stood down owing to one coming into contact with a person who tested positive, the industry dealt with professionally and swiftly.

“The jockeys were cleared yet racing did not resume until after a 48-hour period which showed it (racing) is capable of self regulation.”

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The chairman of racing Australia Greg Nichols released a statement last week showing the wider racing community’s concern over Tasmania’s plight.

“Since the advent of COVID-19 related restrictions every state and territory, with the exception of Tasmania, has continued to conduct racing with the full support of the Prime Minister, National Cabinet and State and Territory Governments and we are extremely appreciative of this support,” Nichols said.

“The ongoing wellbeing of all participants in Tasmania and the welfare of thoroughbred horses throughout Tasmania remains a priority and we will continue to work closely with Tasracing to stridently advocate for the resumption of Tasmanian racing earlier than the proposed timing of 13 June 2020.”

Ring says the racing industry is just trying to gain acceptance from Public Health to begin trials for horses and greyhounds two weeks prior to the restart date of June 13 so the industry can conduct race meetings on the restart date.

Meanwhile Racing Minister Jane Howlett and Tasracing’s CEO Paul Eriksson and board chairman Gene Phair are working together to achieve the same outcome.