Following consultation with the Victorian Jockeys’ Association (VJA) and other industry stakeholders, Racing Victoria (RV) has today announced amendments to its application of the three-tier claiming system for apprentice jockeys competing in Victoria.
The changes, which have been formulated throughout the current racing season, will take effect from the start of the 2023-24 racing season on Wednesday, 1 August and are designed to better align the Victorian model with other racing jurisdictions in Australia.
For the sole purpose of calculating an apprentice’s riding claim, Victorian racetracks will now be categorised as either ‘Metropolitan’, ‘Provincial’, or ‘Other’ (subject to the class of meeting being held), thus replacing Victoria’s current system of dividing race meetings into ‘Metropolitan’, ‘TAB’ and ‘Non-TAB’.
This change will more closely align the experience for Victorian apprentice jockeys with the three-tier claiming system enshrined in the Australian Rules of Racing*.
The revamped model will better support the progression and development of Victorian apprentices through three tiers of racing, with Victoria having largely operated under a two-tier system in recent years due to the small number of Non-TAB meetings now conducted.
Metropolitan Category
All racetracks at Flemington, Caulfield, The Valley and Ladbrokes Park (Sandown) will be designated as Metropolitan venues.
Wins at any Provincial track hosting a Metropolitan race meeting or Group and Listed Race wins will also be classified as Metropolitan wins. This remains unchanged from present.
Provincial Category
The new Provincial category will comprise the following racetracks: Bendigo, Cranbourne, Geelong, Mornington, Sale, Sportsbet-Ballarat Turf, Sportsbet-Pakenham Turf and Warrnambool.
Wins at these eight racetracks, excluding those classified as Metropolitan meetings, will be used to calculate an apprentice jockey’s Provincial claim.
Other Category
The new Other category will comprise the following racetracks: Ararat, Avoca, bet365 Bairnsdale, bet365 Benalla, Burrumbeet, bet365 Camperdown, Casterton, bet365 Colac, Coleraine, Donald, Dunkeld, bet365 Echuca, bet365 Edenhope, Great Western, Gunbower, bet365 Hamilton, Hanging Rock, Horsham, Kerang, bet365 Park Kilmore, bet365 Park Kyneton, Manangatang, bet365 Mildura, Moe, bet365 Mortlake, Murtoa, Nhill, Penshurst, Seymour, Sportsbet-Ballarat Synthetic, Sportsbet-Pakenham Synthetic, St Arnaud, bet365 Stawell, Stony Creek, TAB Park Werribee, Tatura, bet365 Terang, Towong, Traralgon, Sportsbet-Wangaratta, Warracknabeal, bet365 Park Wodonga, Wycheproof, bet365 Yarra Valley.
Wins at these 44 racetracks, whether they are conducted as TAB or non-TAB meetings, will be used to calculate an apprentice jockey’s Other claim.
Retrospective Calculation
RV has also determined that there will be a retrospective calculation of current apprentice claims when the new system is implemented on 1 August 2023.
For current apprentices, any wins up to 31 July 2023 will be reclassified in accordance with the new structure and any eligible claims recalculated in accordance with the Australian Rules of Racing and the new categories.
This predominantly means there will be a change to the weight allowance some apprentice jockeys are eligible to claim at race meetings held at Provincial racetracks.
Apprentice jockeys have received provisional advice today as to whether their claims are likely to be adjusted, noting that this won’t be confirmed until the conclusion of the current racing season with the possibility of more wins throughout July.
RV will publish an updated list of apprentice claims at the commencement of the 2023-24 racing season.
Quotes attributable to RV’s Executive General Manager – Integrity Services, Jamie Stier
“This change will be introduced in part to resolve the competitive disadvantage many Victorian apprentices had experienced under the previous model.
“In addition, the new system is designed to create increased opportunities for our apprentice jockeys to progress through the ranks, gain more riding experience, ride more winners and ultimately help them establish a better foothold in their early careers, which in turn will help with their transition to the senior riding ranks.”
ENDS.
To view the breakdown of Victorian racetracks as per the new three-tier apprentice claim system, click here.
*AR 143 Weight allowances for apprentice jockeys:
(4) For races run in a metropolitan area, the permitted weight allowances for an apprentice jockey are:
(a) 3kg until the apprentice jockey has ridden 20 winners on the flat in a metropolitan area;
(b) 2kg until the apprentice jockey has ridden 50 winners on the flat in a metropolitan area;
(c) 1.5kg until the apprentice jockey has ridden 80 winners on the flat in a metropolitan area.
(5) For races run in a provincial area, the permitted weight allowances for an apprentice jockey are:
(a) 3kg until the apprentice jockey has ridden 20 winners on the flat in a metropolitan area and/or a provincial area;
(b) 2kg until the apprentice jockey has ridden 50 winners on the flat in a metropolitan area and/or a provincial area;
(c) 1.5kg until the apprentice jockey has ridden 80 winners on the flat in a metropolitan area and/or a provincial area.
(6) For races run other than in a metropolitan area or a provincial area, the permitted weight allowances for an apprentice jockey are:
(a) 3kg until the apprentice jockey has ridden 20 winners on the flat;
(b) 2kg until the apprentice jockey has ridden 50 winners on the flat;
(c) 1.5kg until the apprentice jockey has ridden 80 winners on the flat.
ENDS