Pollies pony-up in race to be first past the post

LAST week saw two major announcements for thoroughbred racing in Ballarat with the Opposition pledging $5 million for a new track at Ballarat Turf Club and the government offering $33 million for the industry state-wide.

The Liberal/ National $5 million of funding promise would go towards a new state-of-the-art synthetic track at the Turf Club.

Member for Ripon Louise Staley was joined by Shadow Minister for Racing Tim Bull at the Miner’s Rest facility to announce the money.

The new synthetic track would enable Ballarat Turf Club to host more than 40 race meetings a year, never lose a race meet for inclement weather or track conditions, and expand current training capacity, which is almost full.

“Ballarat Turf Club is one of regional Australia’s busiest and most iconic racing facilities with more than 27 race meetings annually,” Mr Bull said.

“Today’s announcement will allow for a significant increase in race meetings and the new synthetic track means that race meets will no longer have to be cancelled due to bad weather.”

The upgraded facilities would also allow more trainers can operate from the centre.

“A facility like this gives trainers the confidence to expand their stables and also provides the infrastructure to attract new trainers to this area,” Mr Bull said.

“The number of horses trained directly results in jobs on the ground – not just direct jobs but we also have the stable hands, track riders, farriers, feed merchants, vets and the list is never ending.”

Ms Staley said that she had worked hard to secure this funding for the community because it supports existing jobs and created new employment in Miners Rest and the region.

“This is about jobs for the region, it’s about cementing this facility as the regional training facility for all of Victoria,” she said.

Lachlan McKenzie, CEO Ballarat Turf Club said, “We are absolutely thrilled to hear of the support from the Coalition for our Synthetic Track Project. The new track will provide additional capacity for our Training Centre, which will result in significant job creation and economic benefit to the local community. It will also provide us with the ability to race in all weather conditions, and provide a venue to take transferred meetings from racetracks that have been impacted by wet weather.”

Labor ups the stakes Meanwhile, Labor was also making its own jump from the gates, with $33 million offered state-wide for the industry

That money would go towards bloodstock quality improvements and seek to attract overseas investment in breeding, research and training, it would also be spent on prize money.

“We will ensure Victoria remains the premier racing state with a boost in prize money to ensure jobs and investment remain right here in Victoria and continue to grow,” Minister for Racing Martin Pakula said.

“Victorian racing is more than just the Spring Racing Carnival. This increase in prizemoney will help support Victorians working in thoroughbred racing in suburbs, regional cities and country towns right across the state.

Mr McKenzie said the Labor pledge could have been a result of lobbying by Racing Victoria.

“Costs keep going up, but prizemoney has not kept abreast especially in the country. As we have the biggest training centre in country Victoria it will cement ownership and entice more people into racing and if there are more people racing horses then there will be more people in jobs.

“There are around 600 people employed in the Central Highland region, prizemoney has not risen in the country and it is a competitive market.

“All this money will be going to regular races, which stand at $22,000 per race, at present and not to the benchmark races like the Melbourne or Caulfield cups, it is just for the non-listed races.