The Board of Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) has approved a $1 million increase in funding for minimum prizemoney for selected metropolitan races and $3 million towards track improvements over the next two years, commencing from 1 January 2019.
The increases are funded by the $4 million announced by the State Government to support increases to the minimum levels of Victorian greyhound prizemoney and investments in improving greyhound safety.
Minimum prizemoney for level 1 metropolitan races at The Meadows and Sandown Park will increase by $400 per race from 1 January 2019. This increase will equate to approximately $500,000 per annum.
Prizemoney for races at these meetings, which are predominantly conducted on Saturday nights at The Meadows and Thursday nights at Sandown, was left unchanged when the previous round of prizemoney increases were announced in November 2017 for level 2 and 3 meetings across the state.
In addition to the increases in minimum prizemoney, the state government has further committed to investments in safer racing in Victoria targeted at track improvement projects at Traralgon and Cranbourne.
GRV is looking at implementing similar methodologies in track design and greyhound safety features at these tracks to what was employed in the rebuild of the Horsham track last year, resulting in significantly reduced racing injuries.
GRV Chairman Bernie Carolan said the prizemoney boost and the track safety projects were a clear indication of Victorian greyhound racing’s direction.
“Our sport has come a long way in a short period of time and an increase in prizemoney for the top tier of racing is only further proof that we have a strong future ahead of us,” Mr Carolan said.
“We are appreciative of the ongoing commitment shown by the Victorian state government to ensuring that Victoria remains the premier state for greyhound racing in Australia.”
“Victoria has provided some of the best racing you will ever see around the world and as we strive to meet participant and community expectations, our sport will continue to grow.”
In October, 2018 Victorian Racing Minister Martin Pakula announced the proposed greyhound racing package prior to the state election.
The funding package comes into effect 1 January 2019, and the first meeting these changes will apply to will be the Sandown meeting on 3 January.
