RACING NSW has increased prizemoney for the highly successful Highway races by 50 per cent to $60,000 per race.
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The increased prizemoney for Highway races will commence on Saturday, August 6.
The prizemoney increase maintains the position of Highway races for country participants in line with recently commenced increases in prizemoney for Country TAB racing.
"The Highway races have performed strongly since they commenced in October last year and warrant this further investment. The Highway races will now deliver $2.5 million in prizemoney annually," said Racing NSW Chief Executive, Mr Peter V'landys AM.
The Highway races will now deliver $2.5 million in prizemoney annually.
- Mr Peter V'landys AM
The Highway races have gathered strong support over a short period drawing together progressive country gallopers on a weekly basis.
Delivering tremendously interesting and competitive racing, the Highway races provide a much-deserved opportunity for country trainers to showcase their skills and develop their profile at the key race meeting of the week in NSW.
"The most satisfying element of the Highway races to me is seeing the thrill and excitement among owners that have runners in these races," Mr V'landys added.
"I'm also delighted that in the past month, three Highway race winners have progressed to win Saturday benchmark races. This must give country trainers a shot of confidence that they can be competitive in races when they come to Sydney," Mr V'landys concluded.
Meanwhile, missing Taree-based trainer Bindi Cheers has been found.
The trainer was found about 1.20pm Wednesday on John Renshaw Drive, Beresfield, near the Truck Stop where she went missing on Sunday afternoon. She was assessed by paramedics at the scene and is currently at Maitland Hospital receiving treatment for dehydration.
Racing NSW Chief Executive Officer Peter V'landys said the racing community is "relieved to know that Bindi has been found safe and is now in good hands".
HIGHWAY HINTS
- Highway races are restricted to Class 2 or 3 country-trained gallopers and added to the race program for the Sydney Saturday meeting outside peak carnival periods. The first such race was held on Saturday, 17 October 2015 at Royal Randwick Racecourse.
- This increase in Highway race prizemoney follows an increase in Country TAB prizemoney to $20,000 per race from $15,000 as well as Country Showcase race meetings featuring prizemoney of $30,000 per race that commence in August 2016.
- To date, 398 starters have competed in 34 Highway races at distances from 1000 metres to 1800m metres, at an average field size of 11.7 starters per race.
- To date 32 individual horses have won Highway races and a total of 77 horses have finished among the placegetters.
