Labor gives cash for three racing codes

ON the heels of a Coalition pledge to fund a synthetic track horse racing track if elected in November, the Labor Government dropped a bombshell to pale that promise by announcing the Ballarat Turf Club can start on the new $4 million track immediately.

The Labor Government has opened their war chest and unleashed a barrage of funding for the three racing codes, which should hold them in good stead with the racing industry, as a whole.

Racing Minister Martin Pakula announced funding of $10 million as a joint package with Racing Victoria last Saturday at a gathering at Dowling Forest that included of trainers, owners and officials from the racing industry.

The multimillion-dollar announcement was well executed and timed by the government and was received with applause and cheers by all stakeholders that were present on the morning.

Minister Pakula said, “This major investment, in a new synthetic track, will ensure that Ballarat will remain one of the leading racing and training centres in Victoria.”

More funding was announced for the jockeys’ room, which will receive a $20,000 facelift to accommodate the international riders expected for Grand National.

The club will contribute $12,000 towards new furniture and flooring and Racing Victoria will include a further $12,000 towards new scales.

The Minister also announced a further boost for the Ballarat Cup meeting to the tune of $29,000, which will be directed towards race day entertainment for music and DJs and a new precinct to accommodate food trucks and bars.

A government spokesperson said they have put in $5.5 million towards infrastructure within the racing industry since 2014, and within the Central Highlands Region there were some 900 jobs generated for full time employment in that time.

But that’s not all – the Labor Government also pledged over $72 million from the Victorian Racing Fund for another four years if reelected.

“Most importantly I want to provide the racing industry with some absolute funding,” Mr Pakula said.

“As you know the racing industry has been funded by unclaimed dividends by off-course wagering and taxes but as more and more punters bet online the unclaimed dividends are reducing due the betting method, bookies who will be putting all winnings back into the bettors accounts, so the unclaimed bets will be reduced dramatically.”

“It will also be possible over the next four years that the racing dividend of $72 million will be reduced to say around $45 million.

“This Government will ensure that the $72 million will still be retained for distribution to the racing clubs regardless of what happens to unclaimed dividends. I think this is a very important announcement and gives certainty to all the racing industry.”

Ballarat Turf Club President Con Powell was positive about the announcements, “When the CEO told me that the Minister of Racing was coming to Ballarat I said how much I like to see Martin, because it means an announcement of money for the club, which brought about of laughter in the room, it always means money to us and he never lets us down”.

“With this announcement we can start our projects straight away. It is a real knock on effect and last week, in the owner’s
room, up to 25 owners and syndicates were entertained – it means a lot to have top facilities for them, and for trainers to
train their horses in good conditions, so it is a really great thing for us and thank you Minister and the Andrews Government, especially for the funding of our cup.”

The Minister for racing made sure other clubs in the district didn’t miss out. He also announced that the New Year’s Day’s Burrumbeet Cup – put on by the Windemere Racing Club – would receive $26,000 for irrigation, converting the sprinkler systems from above to below ground.

Windemere will also get new fencing and a further $17,000 from the Victorian Racing Fund to top up the 2019 Cup. The cub is providing more than $38,000 for the race day.

The Minister Pakula said, “Funding will also go to the other two codes with Harness Racing receiving $290,000 in a joint funding package, there will be $25,000 allocated for the Interdominion Heat run Tuesday, December 4.”

Finally, greyhounds have also secured funding of $82,000 for upgrades and the Ballarat Cup heats.

This is a joint venture of $200,000 with Greyhound Racing Victoria contributing almost $91,000 for the upgrades and race night while the club will be contributing almost $27,000.

The cup will mark 40 years since the greyhounds started in Ballarat, heats of the cup will be run on 1 December with the final the following week.