$1.5 million boost for Country training tracks

Victoria's 32 country racing clubs operating training facilities across the state will receive an additional $1.5 million in the 2006-07 year to assist with the maintenance and operation of facilities used by trainers. A further $1.9 million in increased funding is planned over the following two years for both metropolitan and country training venues.

Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) announced today that it will provide a total of $6.7 million to country venues in the 2006-07 year from the Training Tracks Maintenance Fund (TTMF) towards the annual maintenance of the state's regional training facilities.

Earlier this year, an extensive review was undertaken by RVL, which included consultation with trainers and clubs, into the costs and issues associated with the current and future needs at the state's 39 training centres. The review identified a need to increase funding to clubs who currently operate training facilities to achieve the minimum maintenance standards required.

The additional funds will be directed towards funding the supervision of training at all country venues to the recommended standard, identified by Worksafe as a key area of focus in its safety development program for the racing industry.

A $27 million capital investment plan for upgrading training facilities in the state over the next 10 years has also been developed, focusing on:
- Risk Management Projects (horse movement, access and control, lighting upgrades, supervision facilities and running rail replacements),
- Core (high use) infrastructure (fast sand track base works, irrigation / watering systems, drainage upgrades)
- Strategic upgrades (prioritised by venue and starters produced)
- Cost saving initiatives (ThoroughTrack installation, drought proofing)

RVL's Acting Chief Executive Officer Stephen Allanson said ensuring that the standard of facilities and their operational safety are maintained at the highest possible levels in country areas is critical.

"The vast majority of horses racing in the state are prepared at non-metropolitan racecourses. Therefore it is essential that we strive to continuously improve the standards of the facilities and services available for trainers and riders at these centres," Allanson said.

Country Racing Victoria (CRV) CEO Scott Whiteman said country racing is the backbone of racing in the state.

"More than 670 trainers are located in country Victoria, who collectively trained 7,850 thoroughbred horses last year. The operation of facilities to meet these requirements is becoming more costly for country clubs. The TTMF increases and capital program will go some way toward improving the circumstances for clubs and the users of these facilities," Whiteman said.

The current system of capitation fees charged to trainers by a number of country clubs will be replaced by a Training Facility Fee commencing from 1 August 2006. Under this system, all trainers who use RVL funded training facilities will be charged a fee to be collected by RVL. The levy will be based on the number of starters a trainer produces and the category of training facility they utilise.

Australian Trainers' Association (ATA) Chief Executive John Alducci described the additional funding as a welcome boost to country trainers and owners.

"It should ensure that much needed maintenance works and improvements are carried out across many regional training venues and supports some of the major initiatives undertaken by RVL at some of the larger country training centres over recent years.

"Importantly the abolition of the capitation fee concept should result in a fairer user pays system for trainers with the introduction of the Training Facility Fee", Alducci said.

RVL

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