October
JulyMore coutnry cash, please
A question a lot of Victorian owners and trainers must be asking: when will country prizemoney increase ?
If you have a horse who is, say, a rating 72, but not good enough to run in the city, why should that horse run for the same prizemoney as a maiden?
Higher graded horses in the country must be rewarded.
Our industry has been stagnant for a number of years.
Breeders are not receiving a decent return on their weanlings/yearlings. (Yes, there are the exceptions.)
Owners have had training costs increase by 20-30 percent over the past few years. Prizemoney has in effect gone backwards in the city, and country prizemoney? Well, you may get a drink out of what’s left over after the trainer and jockey percentage is taken out and float fees and strappers are paid for.
Racing Victoria Ltd must give owners a better return on their investment. Scrap the Showcase races, and put that money back into the overall prizemoney pool.
Inject an extra $15- 20 million into normal country race meetings per annum. Then we may be running for something worthwhile in the country. I know it’s not that simple, but it can’t be that hard.
If RVL believe this is just an owner whingeing, then think about this: if all owners decide not to nominate their horses for a few weeks, what would happen?
A lot of people would be affected, from caterers, casual staff, food and beverage staff, to float drivers, taxi drivers, hairdressers, retail shops and the list goes on.
RVL has a responsibility to look after the owners’ needs.
Ivanhoe (Vic)