A jockeys' boycott over staff cutbacks at the newly-formed Brisbane Racing Club (BRC) was narrowly averted at Doomben on Wednesday.Jockeys refused to ride before the opening race when long-serving jockeys' room attendant Doug Weir, who has officiated for the past 20 years at both Doomben and Eagle Farm meetings, was not on duty.They heard Weir had become the latest victim of staff cutbacks at the club and were irate when no attendant was left in charge of the jockeys' room to oversee the safety
A jockeys' boycott over staff cutbacks at the newly-formed Brisbane Racing Club (BRC) was narrowly averted at Doomben on Wednesday.
Jockeys refused to ride before the opening race when long-serving jockeys' room attendant Doug Weir, who has officiated for the past 20 years at both Doomben and Eagle Farm meetings, was not on duty.
They heard Weir had become the latest victim of staff cutbacks at the club and were irate when no attendant was left in charge of the jockeys' room to oversee the safety of personal belongings and its day-to-day running .
The BRC has made several controversial cost-cutting decisions with staff recently including sacking the stewards' driver and 40-plus year stalwart Brian Weibler who lost his job in the Doomben race day office on Monday.
A jockeys' deputation, led by senior riders Larry Cassidy and Jim Byrne, demanded to speak to BRC officials to guarantee Weir's reinstatement before next Saturday's Eagle Farm meeting.
Cassidy said riders were adamant they would not ride at Doomben until a club official addressed them.
"We weren't going to come out for the first race until someone from the club spoke to us," Cassidy said.
"It's an integrity and safety issue. All our belongings are inside and no-one is there to look after it.
"I've ridden in five or six countries around the world and every jockeys' room I've been to has between two and five attendants.
"Sydney has three and I think Melbourne has about four and all we are asking for is one and we want Doug back because he knows what is required."
BRC chief operations manager Darren Condon spoke with the delegation and assured riders the matter would be resolved.
However, Condon denied Weir had been sacked or made redundant as the club looked at ways to save costs.
"We haven't sacked Doug but we are looking at reducing our costs," Condon said.
"Doug wasn't rostered on today as we were trialling using the clerk of the scales to look after the jockeys' room as well.
"Clearly the jockeys have some issues with that but we'll work through it.
"We thought the best time to trial this was at the midweeks and we're surprised by the jockeys' action."
As well as the lack of a permanent jockeys' room attendant, the female jockeys' room had no food, water or toilet paper for riders.
The jockeys' stand received overwhelming support from owners and trainers attending Doomben.
Leading trainer Rob Heathcote was furious there was no permanent jockeys' room attendant.
"I was for an amalgamation when the two metropolitan clubs talked about a merger," Heathcote said.
"But if the merger was on now I wouldn't vote for it.
"Since the merger took place we've seen nothing positive from this club except staff cutbacks while food and alcohol prices have gone through the roof."
However, Heathcote had cause for some celebration later when he collected a winning double with debutant Racing Heart in the Leighton Contractors Plate (1110m) and Gondola Girl, a half-sister to former multiple Group One winner Show A Heart, in the Turner Freeman Plate (1110m).