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Racing Queensland announces $18 million prize money increase for industry viability

31 October 2018

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Following the state government’s welcomed announcement of $26 million for thoroughbred racing, Racing Queensland Chairman Steve Wilson AM says the first prize money increase of $18 million, effective 1 November 2018, will be a welcome boost for racing across Queensland with a particular focus on non-metropolitan racing to assist industry viability, competitiveness and participant cash flow.

Mr Wilson said: “This prize money boost will address one of the biggest challenges facing racing in Queensland; its ongoing viability, long-term sustainability and competitiveness with other racing jurisdictions across Australia.”

“I would again like to thank Racing Minister Stirling Hinchliffe and Treasurer Jackie Trad for their willingness to engage with Racing Queensland and industry participants on this important issue for the future of Queensland racing, which contributes $1.2 billion annually to the state economy.”

Mr Wilson said RQ and industry representatives from the harness and greyhound codes were in continued discussions about enduring funding for the viability and competitiveness of their codes.

CEO Brendan Parnell said RQ had worked to allocate the funding in a manner that would promote the viability of grassroots racing by paying 5th to 10th at all TAB races throughout Queensland, with a sliding structure of $1000 - $300 dependent on meeting status.

“Non-metropolitan (Provincial) racing will be the major beneficiary, with $12.3 million allocated to provincial and country racing,” Mr Parnell said.

Provincial SEQ meetings at the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Ipswich will benefit from an increase of $6.9 million, while Provincial meetings in Toowoomba, Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns will benefit from the remaining $5.4 million. 

“The focus on un-placed stakes from 5th to 10th aims to defray costs for participants, while improving cash flows for trainers and, for the owners who subsidise the industry.”

The majority of the remaining $5.7 million will be allocated to paying runners placed 6th to 10th at mid-week and Saturday metropolitan races. All listed races will also be raised to a minimum of $125,000.

“By allocating funds in this manner RQ aims to drive improved field sizes, especially at Provincial TAB meetings which have been under pressure for the past two years,” Mr Parnell said.

Highlights include:

Provincial SEQ meetings (Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Ipswich) - $6.9 million increase

  • Standard race stakes raised from $16,000 to $21,000 (+31.25%)
  • Maiden race stakes raised from $15k to $21k (+40%)
  • Introduction of prize money for fifth-placed runners
  • Introduction of $400 payment for runners placed 6th to 10th.

Provincial Queensland meetings (inc. Toowoomba, Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns) - $5.4 million increase

  • All races at Toowoomba Turf Club raised from $14,000 to $19,000 (+35.7%)
  • Introduction of $19,000 races at weekly Northern Provincial Showcase meetings
    • Introduction of prize money for fifth-placed runners ($600)
    • Introduction of $400 payment for runners placed 6th to 10th
  • Remaining provincial stakes raised from $14,000 to $16,500 (+17.8%)
    • Introduction of prize money for fifth-placed runners
    • Introduction of $300 payment for runners placed 6th to 10th***
  • Country TAB stakes raised from $12,000 to $14,500 (+20.83%) at:
    • Kilcoy, Beaudesert, Warwick, Lockyer (Gatton), Dalby and Roma meetings
  • Key Northern Cups and the Toowoomba Cup raised to $150,000 prize money.

Mid-week Metropolitan meetings - $2.4 million increase

  • Standard race stakes raised from $25,000 to $30,000 (+20%)
  • Maidens raised from $20,000 to $25,000 (+25%)
  • Introduction of $500 payment for runners placed 6th to 10th.

Saturday metropolitan meetings - $2.15 million increase

  • Standard race stakes raised from $70,000 to $75,000 (+7.1%) and $40,000 to $45,000 (+12.5%) 
  • All races increased by $5,000 to accommodate introduction of $1000 payment for runners placed 6th to 10th
  • Listed races to carry minimum stakes of $125,000 (+25%)

***Please note correction to original payment of $400 as previously advised. Racing Queensland apologises for any inconvenience this may cause.