Stablehands will be among the big winners following significant prizemoney increases announced by Racing NSW.
The state’s ruling body is flush with more than $100 million in funds following Friday’s ruling by the High Court on the race fields legislation.
Racing NSW will use a portion of those funds to boost prizemoney across the board, unveiling its new structure on Wednesday.
Licensed stablehands, who are among the lowest-paid workers in the industry, will receive 1.5 per cent of total prizemoney under the changes which will take effect from July 1.
“In a first for Australian racing, licensed stablehands will now get a cut of the prizemoney, justly rewarding them for their efforts in the success of their stable,” Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys said.
Sydney racing is also set to benefit with metropolitan Saturday races to increase from $70,000 to $85,000 while midweek city races will be worth $35,000, an increase of 30 per cent.
The purse for provincial events will rise to $22,000 while country races receive a 50 per cent increase to $15,000.
Prizemoney will also be paid down to 10th place from July.
Racing NSW chairman John Messara said it was determined to look after participants at all levels, particularly in the country where rising costs had made owning horses in some regions unviable.
As a result, money will be spent on upgrading country tracks and training facilities.
“We are determined to see participants across all sectors of the industry benefit and receive a fair return for their labour or financial investment, whether as an owner, trainer, jockey or strapper,” Messara said.
“The flow-on effect to service providers such as vets, float drivers, farriers and feed merchants will also be substantial.
“While these prizemoney adjustments will place NSW in a most competitive position against all western racing jurisdictions, we will be aiming for further increases to prizemoney including the Group and Listed category, subject to success in other revenue-generating initiatives which are currently underway.”
Along with the prizemoney increases and upgrades for country tracks, Racing NSW will also be investing in additional drug testing equipment for the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL).
“The ARFL is already recognised as one of the world’s leading drug testing laboratories,” V’landys said.
“This new equipment will enable the laboratory to detect thousands of drugs, including new age prohibited substances such as ITTP, so as to ensure that racing remains drug free.”
Racing NSW’s announcement comes less than a week after wagering operators Sportsbet and Betfair lost their case against having to pay a 1.5 per cent fee on turnover to use race field information.
The decision meant Racing NSW was able to release more than $100 million in fees already collected, which it had been holding pending the High Court’s decision.
Article from justhorseracing.com.au
