Chairman applaudes rebate move

Float rebate initiative to drive full fields for the return of Monday meetings at Albion Park. Photo by Corey Pearce.

Albion Park Harness Racing Club chairman Kevin Seymour AM has applauded Racing Queensland's decision to introduce a float rebate for unplaced TAB runners from next week.

"A great initiative. Rising costs effect everyone in our industry and this is a significant step to lessen the financial burden," Mr Seymour said.

And he was so impressed by the RQ initiative that he has sponsored the rebate to be increased to $100 for the four Monday Albion Park meetings in July.

"Hopefully, this will assist our smaller stables which these meetings are catering for.

We have to be mindful of our horse pool in Queensland and try to sustain racing careers as long as possible. Float rebates will play a part in the overall business of running a stable," Mr Seymour said.

The Albion Park club has also appreciated the opportunity to run four Monday meetings next month with TAB status.

This fixture was scrapped by the previous Racing Queensland administration.

"These meetings give horses of lesser ability the chance to compete against each other and create TAB turnover which can only help the industry's market share," Mr Seymour said.

The success of these four meetings will determine their long-term future.

Importantly, the meetings will be broadcast on Sky Racing 1 which attracts a larger audience than Sky Racing 2 where they were aired previously.