The Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) Board has approved a record funding allocation of $136.4million for the racing season commencing 1 August 2015. This represents an increase of $10.3million.
RWWA CEO Richard Burt said the 7.9% increase in industry funding reflected the solid performance of the WATAB in a competitive environment and the strong performance of WA Racing nationally.
“Growth in our core business channels inclusive of mobile and digital has provided a healthy return to the WA industry allowing benefits to flow through metropolitan and regional racing alike.”
Thoroughbred racing participants will see an extra $5million invested in participant and Club funding; this is in addition to the previously announced $850k allocation to key feature races.
The Westspeed budget will increase by $1million and the implementation of the Westspeed Sires Scheme will be brought forward by a year, making all nominated runners by a Western Australian sire eligible to receive an additional bonus of $10k for each Saturday Westspeed win which will increase to $15k in the following season.
Further feature race investment will see the WA Guineas reach $500k and become the richest 3YO race in the State. AJ Scahill Stakes, Perth Stakes and the Western Australian Cup are all subject to increases worth $130k in total.
Thoroughbred Trainers will be guaranteed a minimum payment of $75 for all starters at race meetings telecast on SKY. Where the Trainer receives less than $75 in stakes commission, a subsidy of $75 will be applicable. This puts an additional $980K directly into Trainers pockets.
Jockeys and apprentices will receive a $5.45 increase in their riding fee consistent with the final year of a three year commitment with the Western Australian Jockey’s Association. A further 27% increase in Workers Compensation premiums will see $540k allocated.
Club funding inclusive of increased training funding will see a further $630k allocated.
The WA Harness racing industry will see $1.8million invested courtesy of the 3 year commitment to host the Inter Dominion. Further complementing the Carnival will be stake increases to the following Feature races: Norms Daughter ($4.5k); Mares Classic ($19.5k); Golden Nugget ($24.5k); Trotters Cup ($19.5k); Fremantle Cup ($49.4k); WA Pacing Cup ($49.5k); Caduceus Classic ($9.5k).
Harness industry participants will receive a $350k increase to Westbred (including the Epona scheme) along with increased funding to Clubs of over $200k.
Base stakes and selected Feature race funding increases will see an increase of $661k available to participants, further enhanced by an increase in the Owners Transport Subsidy rate and a $5 increase to driver fees.
Greyhounds will receive a $1million funding increase allocated across WAGRA Club funding, Westcha$e, Stakes allocations and a new trainers subsidy.
Following extensive consultation with greyhound participants the code will receive stake increases totalling $355k across the three tiers of racing in accordance with the requested industry formula which sees provincial stakes at 50% of city class stakes and country class stakes at 50% of provincial level stakes.
The current 5th and 6th stakes payable will be removed and replaced with the payment of a trainers’ subsidy for all greyhounds placing beyond 4th position in all race classes. This is a payment of $15 per greyhound starter.
Development of the New Cannington racetrack and public amenities is well underway courtesy of a $14million investment attributed this racing season (2014/15).