Racing NSW chairman Russell Balding will arrive in Tamworth this month for a discussion forum on the industry’s new strategic plan.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Hunter and North West Racing Association chairman Rod Watt said the key gathering at Tamworth Jockey Club on July 18 was part of the process to deliver the new strategic plan.
He said that at the event Balding AO and Racing NSW senior executive Scott Kennedy would speak before taking questions from the audience.
Watt said at stake was maintaining the momentum that had turned the region’s racing industry in a success story and a key economic engine.
Racing NSW produces a new strategic plan for the state every several years, he added.
He said: “Basically, racing has never, in my view, been so progressive and well funded – and I’ve been on a race club committee for over 30 years [Armidale Jockey Club] – and had so much prize money and other subsidies available.
“The other thing has been the huge improvement in the standard of the media coverage and also the production.
“If you look at a race today on TV, it’s much better than it was years ago … [And] because racing is such a professional organisation, it needs to progressively introduce new policies. It’s an inclusive sport now.”
Watt listed details to support his claim that racing in the region has never been healthier.
He said: “Basically, thanks to the efforts of the board of Racing NSW and Peter V’landys, the CEO [of Racing NSW], [average minimum prize money] has increased from $6000 to $20,000 per race over the last 10 years or so.
“In addition to that, there’s the $2 million carnival at Scone and large high prize money Cup meetings at places like Tamworth and Muswellbrook and other substantial Cup carnivals.
“What this area is looking at is hopefully a continued increase in prize money and the continued interest of people involved in the industry in racing horses.”
Watt said the Hunter and North West racing industry had some 160 registered trainers, a “number of huge studs at Scone and Muswellbrook” and many part-time and full time employees.
“And there’s 100 meetings a year in the area, which involves about 20 clubs,” he said, adding that last year some 8500 horses raced in the region.
