State’s racing propped up

TASRACING has put a price on the head of all working thoroughbreds, harness racers, greyhounds and even their pups as part of the State Government’s coronavirus shutdown support package announced on Tuesday.

Trainers of thoroughbreds will get $38 a day for every “horse in work”, harness trainers receive $35 per day, while greyhound trainers get $50 a week per dog and $20 for pups.

Tasracing CEO Paul Eriksson said jockeys and drivers should be eligible for the JobKeeper payment, while clubs and other organisations may be eligible support packages through the State and Federal Governments.

The deal was struck after Tasracing met with the three codes of racing and agreed to the detail of the industry support package developed in response to the COVID-19 crisis, revealed by Minister for Racing Jane Howlett.

Eriksson said the welfare of racing animals was top of mind during discussions.

“The focus is on keeping the animals in work and fit for a return to racing,” Eriksson said. “Amounts to be paid will be calculated on a daily basis and paid fortnightly.

“Trainers will be able to apply for support either online or using paper forms.

“Information provided by trainers will be checked and verified by the Office of Racing Integrity stewards.”

The $2 million scheme is funded through savings achieved by Tasracing during the shutdown. The scheme will be backdated to April 1 and be under constant review as circumstances develop. “While the animals will be kept in work, they will lose some race fitness and, depending on the code, any return to racing would be two to eight weeks after the decision to return has been made,” Eriksson said.

The scheme will be managed by Tasracing which is in the process of preparing application forms and establishing protocols that should be in place in the next few days.

Thoroughbred and harness trainers receive the payments directly by nominating each horse that is in work, and greyhound trainers for each dog registered on OzChase.