Raising the stakes: Major prize money increase for Great Southern horse racing

The Great Southern racing industry has received a significant boost, with Albany Racing Club and Mt Barker Turf Club set for a stakes increase in the 2020-21 season. On Wednesday, Racing and Wagering Western Australia announced an additional $16 million would be endorsed for the industry for the upcoming season to go towards funding, grants and strategic initiatives. This will result in the distribution of $180m, with the significant $8m increase allocated to critical projects to keep the racing industry going. There will be a total increase of $1.22m in prize money for outer provincial A-race meetings, as part of the second phase of RWWA’s thoroughbred stakes strategy to generate more sustainable returns for trainers and owners specific to Albany, Mt Barker, Geraldton and Kalgoorlie regions. The prize money for Albany and Mt Barker meetings will increase to $20,000 for a class race and $17,000-$17,500 for a maiden race next season. ARC general manager Mark Bayliss said this increase was a positive step. “This is important for people that put into racing more than the club,” he said. “They put money into the industry and now there is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel. “People that invest in the industry need to get a bit back and that’s what this provides. “It’s about reinvesting into the industry. It’s good across the board for racing in WA.” The increased stakes money is automatic but clubs have to apply for grants if they want to upgrade infrastructure. “We have been approved for a new swab box and practice barriers so there’s a bit of new and exciting infrastructure going on,” Bayliss said. “The club is heading in the right direction and we need to keep it going up.” MBTC president Steven Carter said his club would benefit significantly from this. “It’s a positive for all clubs in WA — it will help us out a lot,” he said. “It is going to go a long way to helping out clubs on the track and off the track with infrastructures. “The committee will determine what we need to improve out here and put in an application.”