The Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) Board today 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 $1500. 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.