Prizemoney increase for 2019 Carnival

The announcement from Harness Racing NSW comes as part of their $2.8 million of funding towards various races and series across the state.

HRNSW CEO John Dumesny said an important part of the Bathurst funding is making sure it is distributed in a manner which is measured and that most people can agree upon.

“The club is currently undertaking a survey of people who have horses in the Gold Crown system and once we have the results we can implement the changes,” he said.

Benefits for Bathurst’s harness racing industry will be seen beyond the Gold Crown Carnival, as the majority of the funding from HRNSW is focused on strengthening grassroots racing.

One change Dumesny is excited about is the creation of the Regional Rewards Series.

“The series will be focused on the lower level horses to give them an opportunity to race in a $10,000 final in each of the regions. Every second week we will be holding a final for those horses,” he said.

“If a trainer travels further than 100 kilometres to compete in the series then they will receive $100 to help cover their fuel costs.”

The series is open to C0 graded horses who are firstly NSW Breeders Challenge eligible and then Australian bred and trained in NSW but excludes imported horses.

Group 2 races Pink Bonnet, Sapling Stakes, Rod Fitzpatrick, Raith Memorial and the Simpson, Paleface Adios and Hondo Grattan Stakes will all receive funding increases.

All restricted race meetings are set to be converted to country meetings, aside from some individual restricted races that will function as heats for a final, such as the Canola Cup.

Next year’s Breeders Challenge Series is set to receive $300,000 in funding but consultation will be undertaken with stakeholders.

The changes are expected to have a positive effect at the upcoming Gold Crown Yearling Sales, particularly for yearlings already paid up for the Breeders Challenge and Gold Crown series.

Alexander Grant

Reprinted with permission of The Western Advocate