Harness racing prizemoney on the rise

Racing Minister Martin Pakula announced at the Gordon Rothacker Medal night that a re-elected Labor Government would commit to an additional $6 million in funding over two years and reaffirmed that commitment at the recent Inter Dominion.

Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) said it would pass on that funding through increased stakemoney across all levels as follows:

· Restricted class races increased from $4000 to $4500;

· $5000 Career Penalty races increased to $7000;

· Metropolitan class races increased from $16,000 and $18,000 to $20,000;

· Semi-feature metropolitan class races increased from $20,000 to $24,000;

· A $10,000 minimum race stake to be applied on all metro race nights at Melton;

· Country Cup prizemoney increased by $222,500;

· Pryde’s EasiFeed Victoria Cup prizemoney increased from $200,000 to $250,000;

· Minimum payment for fifth to last increased to $140.

“With this additional funding from the State Government, we have aimed to ensure a broad spread of harness racing participants at all levels of the industry are rewarded for their hard work through these prizemoney increases, which will commence on January 1, 2019,” HRV chief executive officer David Martin said.