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By Mark Brassel

Country racing in New South Wales is one of the big winners following Racing NSW’s announcement during the week of $30 million in prizemoney increases.

The increases, along with record investment in infrastructure and an additional share of prizemoney for both equine welfare and stable staff, commence September 1st.

The latest prizemoney announcements see total NSW prizemoney increase to $358 million per annum. This is an increase of $239m or more than triple the prizemoney levels from 2012.

Minimum prizemoney for all levels of Country racing have been increased as per:

- Picnic minimum prizemoney increases from $5,000 to $7,000
- Non-TAB minimum prizemoney - $10,000 to $12,000
- Sky 2 minimum prizemoney - $15,000 to $16,000
- Country TAB minimum prizemoney - $25,000 to $27,000

In addition, two races at every Country TAB race meeting will now be restricted to NSW Country-trained horses and will carry $30,000 prizemoney.

Two races at every Country Showcase meeting will also be restricted to NSW Country-trained horses with $35,000 prizemoney, and some meetings will now have three races.

Wagga trainer Gary Colvin told the Wagga Advertiser: “It makes it worthwhile to be in the racing game and own a horse. Let's face it, the cost of living is going up and I’m paying more wages now; everything's gone sky high so it’s great news.”

Also announced was an infrastructure project fund of $125m to be delivered by Racing NSW over the next two years. This project fund includes $70m in grants from the NSW State Government who continue to support NSW Thoroughbred Racing Industry participants and $55m set aside by Racing NSW.

These projects include construction of stables, new training tracks, course proper works, customer facilities, raceday amenities and jockeys’ rooms right across the state. Racing NSW will continue to work with race clubs and participants regarding the allocation of these funds.

In July 2012, Racing NSW introduced the 1.5% strappers bonus, being the first state in Australia to do so, providing a considerable reward for the industry’s lowest paid workers. As part of the announcements the strappers bonus increases from 1.5% to 2% of prizemoney.

The Equine Welfare Fund, which receives 1% of all prizemoney to care for, retrain and rehome NSW Thoroughbred racehorses. also received an increase to 1.5%.

Racing NSW Chairman, Russell Balding AO said: “NSW Country racing is the bedrock of our industry, it is important therefore that we ensure the ongoing viability of country racing and the sustainability of our country trainers.”

Meanwhile, Narrandera Race Club hosts a TAB meeting on Saturday with a six-race program sponsored by Watkins & Sons Funeral Directors and Monumental Masons, Elders Narrandera & Coleambally, Leeton Toyota and Bendigo Community Bank Narrandera.

“We’ll have a Fashions on the Field with full TAB facilities and Sky Channel on-course,” said NRC’s Racing Manager, Michael Bailey.

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Goulburn, Taree
Tuesday: Quirindi
Friday: Port Macquarie, Tamworth
Saturday: Narrandera, Parkes (non-TAB)
Sunday: Moruya, Narromine