RACING Queensland Limited (RQL) has today announced that a helicopter service will be available to transport jockeys from Doomben racecourse to the Toowoomba Turf Club on Saturday night, April 13, 2013 for the $150,000 Listed Weetwood Handicap.

Jockeys riding in the metropolitan meeting at Doomben will be able to board a chartered helicopter flight after the last race, and travel directly to Clifford Park to participate in Toowoomba’s premier night meeting.

RQL chairman Kevin Dixon believes this initiative will add great value and help showcase the official opening meeting of the 2013 Queensland Winter Racing Carnival.

“Offering our premier jockeys a timely method of travel to Toowoomba so they can participate in the time-honoured Weetwood meeting will ensure the 2013 Queensland Winter Carnival commences successfully,” he said.

“Doomben racecourse will host the $100,000 Listed Queensland Day 3YO in the afternoon and to encourage our premier jockeys to participate in Toowoomba that evening, we identified the need to transport them directly from Doomben to Clifford Park and the quickest method is a helicopter.”

The chartered helicopter flight will depart Doomben racecourse at 4:50pm, taking approximately 40 minutes to arrive at Clifford Park, which will enable jockeys to participate in the last race at Doomben and take a ride in the third race at Toowoomba. Jockeys will be returned to Doomben via ground transport.

Jockeys and agents wanting to book a seat on this flight should contact RQL commercial & racing development manager Blair Odgers on 0488 708 775.

RACING QUEENSLAND MEDIA RELEASE