Codes Receive Positive Funding Boost for 2014-15

Perth Turf Talk | Metropolitan Racing | Fri 2 May, 2014

The Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) Board has approved a record funding allocation of $126.1million for the racing season commencing 1 August 2014. This represents an increase of $6.5million. In addition, a further $14million in grants has been committed by RWWA towards key racing infrastructure projects, including a contribution towards the new Cannington greyhound facility.

RWWA CEO Richard Burt said the commitment to retaining a metropolitan greyhound racing track is evidenced in the allocation of $9million towards the $21.3million overall project cost.

“With the 2014/15 funding announcement, our industry participants are the major beneficiaries with over 90% of total distribution going into stakes, breeding bonuses and industry subsidies across greyhounds, harness and thoroughbreds.”

Greyhound participants will also receive stake increases for city class meetings of $600 per race, with provincial and country races to receive increases of $75 and $40 respectively. A further $200k has been allocated for the TABTouch Nationals which will be run at Cannington in August 2014.

Harness participants will receive an increase of $120k towards metropolitan racing with prime metropolitan race types increasing between $500 and $15,00. This provides for an increase in total stakes of $4k per prime Gloucester Park meeting.

An increase of $1.24million has been committed to provincial and community racing which represents an increase of $400 per race. An owners transport subsidy for all non-stakes earning runners of $60 for ‘C’ class races and $40 for ‘R’ class races is intended to be introduced for all provincial and community meetings at a total cost of $535k. Driver fees will increase by 8% at $65 per drive. The Westbred bonus scheme will also be increased by a further $125k.

Thoroughbred participants will be subject to a $1.7million increase towards metropolitan races and a $2.1million increase in provincial and country racing.

The Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes 1200m, Western Australia’s premier sprint event, will increase in stakes to $750K while minimum prize money for all group three races will be boosted to $150k from 1 August 2014, representing an increase of $25k per race. The Group 3 A J Scahill Stakes run on Kingston Town Stakes day will increase to $200k to provide a stronger option for sprinters two-weeks after Super Saturday. The feature race programme will be further strengthened by the introduction of three new races including a fillies and mares sprint event in the autumn and a 3200m feature event at Ascot following the Bunbury & Pinjarra Cups.

The strategy commenced this season to raise metropolitan base stakes will continue with increases of $5,000 and $2,500 respectively to Rating 72+ and Rating 66+ handicap races. Midweek two-years-old, three-years-old and rating 60-72 races will also increase by $2.5K per race as part of a wider strategy to midweek and provincial base stakes over the next few years.

Maiden races at Provincial A venues will be further increased by $1,500 to $12.5k per race representing an increase of 25% in the last two years. Stakeholders racing at Provincial B venues will see an increase of $1,000 for all maiden and handicap races, completing the strategy to set stakes for this class of club at 80% of Provincial A. All Provincial Clubs will also receive increases in feature stakes funding to ensure key races remain competitive with metropolitan stakes levels.
Country and Community Clubs will be allocated a 5% increase in stakes and events fees.

Jockeys and Apprentices will receive a $5 increase in their riding fee to $172.50, consistent with the three year agreement in place with the Western Australian Jockeys’ Association.

The $6.5million increase took into account industry consultation and feedback received from owners, trainers, jockeys, breeders, clubs and other industry participants. 

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