Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) and the Association of Victorian Country Harness Racing Clubs (AVCHRC) today announced a significant increase in funding for the state’s feature country championships for 2005/06 following their legislated consultation meeting.
HRV has allocated an additional $50,000 in stakes for the state’s five regional zones to fund their annual championship series, doubling its annual contribution to $100,000.
The events set to benefit from the additional funding in the 2005/06 racing season are;
- Tontine Championship – Pacers (C2-C4) & Trotters (T0+) [South West Zone]
- Central Victorian Championship – Pacers (C2) & Trotters (T0+)
- Northern Region Pacing Championship (C1-C2)
- Eastern Challenge Pacing Series (C3-C4)
- George Croxford Tribute (3A0-3A2) [Murray Zone]
Each championship will receive $20,000 next season, up from $10,000, and most importantly will remain country penalty races despite the lucrative stakes on offer.
“These increases will further enhance the many lucrative racing opportunities that harness racing offers participants in country Victoria,” HRV Chairman, Neil Busse, said.
“Currently HRV distributes 75 percent of our annual stakes budget into regional and country Victoria, significantly more than the state’s other racing codes.
“Last month we announced a $3 million stakes increase for the 2005/06 racing season of which 80 percent will be distributed into regional and country areas.
“On top of this we will be spending over $20 million on infrastructure in regional areas over the next seven years to ensure we offer punters and participants alike state-of-the-art facilities that promote fast and fair racing and are OH&S compliant.”
AVCHRC President, Arthur Graham, welcomed the announcement as exciting news for all country stakeholders.
“We are delighted that HRV has seen fit to allocate this additional funding to our regional championships which follows on from last month’s announcement of an increase in the basic country stake,” Graham said.
“The Board is to be commended for its endeavours to increase returns to stakeholders which have allowed a range of positive announcements over the past month which reaffirm Victoria’s position as the industry leader.
“The regional championships are the showpiece of the country and today’s announcement to increase funding will assist in maintaining their growing stature within the state’s five regional zones.”
Other highlights of the $3 million stakes increase from September 1 include a rise in the basic country stake to $4500, an increase in the basic metropolitan stake to $15,000, a $5000 minimum stake for Thursday night country meetings and a $6000 minimum stake for all Friday and Saturday night country meetings.
Over recent weeks HRV has also announced an additional $1.5 million in funding for industry development projects in 2005/06, a 10 percent increase in drivers fees, the introduction of a new Statewide Sulky Fund, the procurement of new 24 hour personal accident cover for all Victorian trainers and drivers, an increase in the Vicbred win bonus to $2500 and an increase in the Vicbred breeder bonus from 5 to 7.5 percent.
