The Andrews Labor Government is investing in country racing through a major marketing campaign and the rollout of state of the art racing technology to improve safety for jockeys and horses.
The Labor Government is providing $900,000 from its Victorian Racing Industry Fund to help promote 221 regional race meetings, as well as more than $53,000 for GoingSticks at four regional racetracks.
Minister for Racing Martin Pakula today visited Geelong to announce that the marketing package includes five themed racing campaigns to showcase regional race meetings between 22 September 2018 and 28 April 2019.
Feature races will showcase Victoria’s 64 country racetracks, including 13 picnic racing venues. Each event will include a range of attractions including subsidised entry, family picnic packages and free children’s activities.
GoingSticks will be rolled out across Geelong, Sale, Seymour and Warrnambool racecourses. Combined with a track mapping system, the new technology replaces the penetrometer system and provides a more accurate and detailed breakdown of track surface conditions across the entire length of any track.
Country Racing Victoria is providing more than $1.7 million towards the racing campaigns and Racing Victoria is contributing more than $53,000 towards the rollout of GoingSticks.
More than $32,000 in funding will go towards the Geelong Racing Club, including support for the 2018 Father’s Day Races on Sunday 2 September 2018 and repairs to the jockeys’ rooms.
Since December 2014, the government has provided more than $56.1 million to Racing Victoria and its clubs for 371 projects to improve racing, training and public facilities, increase integrity and support racing events.
The Victorian thoroughbred racing industry generates almost $2.1 billion annually for the state’s economy and helps sustain more than 19,600 full-time equivalent jobs, mainly in regional Victoria.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Racing Martin Pakula
“This is about showcasing the very best of racing across Victoria and celebrating the importance of country racing communities across the state.”
“We’re rolling out new technology across Victoria to ensure that thoroughbred racing continues to keep pace with international standards and to improve safety for jockeys and trainers.”
Quotes attributable to Country Racing Chief Executive Officer Scott Whiteman
“We’re delighted with the government’s announcement, which will help us promote racing to regional Victoria and get even more people involved in the racing industry.”
“This partnership with the government will also help us roll out more modern technology across metropolitan and country racing venues.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020