The introduction of a new $3.4 million Vicbred Platinum scheme to Victoria’s harness racing sector will help to grow jobs and economic benefits throughout rural and regional areas of the State.
The Victorian Coalition Government will provide $1.55 million over the next four years to establish Vicbred Platinum, providing enormous incentive to breed, buy and race harness racehorses in Victoria. Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) will provide a further $1.88 million to the scheme.
Minister for Racing Denis Napthine said Vicbred Platinum would add to the existing $6.5 million Vicbred program for Victorian bred trotters and pacers and will include a focus on fillies and mares races.
“While Victoria already leads the nation for breeding pacers and trotters – with more than 40 per cent bred here – Vicbred Platinum will create important incentives for additional fillies and mares to be owned and raced in Victoria, and will ensure broodmares remain and foal down here.
“Vicbred Platinum will also make the state even more attractive for local and interstate breeders to bring their broodmares to foal in Victoria, which in turn creates employment and economic stimulus in regional Victoria,” Dr Napthine said.
The Vicbred Platinum scheme will include:
· Vicbred Platinum Mares Sprint Championship – 25 races to be run at each of the Victorian Country Cup meetings. This comprises of a 20 race series for pacers with stakes of $10,000 and a final of $40,000 as well as a five race series for trotters and a final of $30,000. Restricted to C0-C4 classes.
· Vicbred Platinum Country Series – 15 events across country racetracks including two $7,000 heats and a $10,000 final. Aimed at maiden and lower classed pacers and trotters.
· Vicbred Platinum Metropolitan bonus races – up to eight metropolitan class races with stakes ranging from $15,000 to $40,000 (pacers and trotters).
Harness Racing Victoria Chief Executive John Anderson said HRV was excited by the opportunity to expand on its existing Vicbred scheme which will distribute $6.5 million in prizemoney in the 2011-12 season.
“With the financial support of the Coalition Government, HRV is delighted to establish the Vicbred Platinum enhancement to the existing Vicbred scheme,” Mr Anderson said.
“Vicbred Platinum will provide increased opportunities for Victorian bred stock, particularly fillies and mares, to provide a stimulus for the Victorian breeding sector.
President of Harness Breeders (Vic) Tony Britt said the Vicbred Platinum series was great news for Victorian breeders of pacers and trotters.
“Victoria for many decades has led Australia in the breeding of pacers and trotters. The Vicbred Platinum series will help to ensure that Victoria maintains its lead. With Vicbred Platinum, there are plenty of reasons for Victorian breeders of standardbreds to be optimistic about the future,” Mr Britt said.
Dr Napthine said this announcement completes the Coalition Government’s pre-election promise to provide $10 million to support jobs in the breeding industry across all three racing codes.
“The standardbred, thoroughbred and greyhound breeding industries are very labour-intensive and provide employment for thousands of Victorians, particularly in regional areas,” Dr Napthine said.
“The Coalition Government is committed to working across all three racing codes to ensure Victoria’s breeding industries continue to grow and to ensure Victorian bred racing animals are the most sought after by owners and trainers from all parts of Australia.
