RACING Queensland chairman Steve Wilson accepts there is no sugar-coating the urgent need for more prizemoney for the local industry but has pointed to a resurgence in Queensland wagering as evidence there are better days ahead.
Wilson’s response follows Jon Haseler’s move to stop standing stallions and fellow breeder Scott McAlpine declaring the industry is “on its knees”.
Multiple champion trainer Rob Heathcote joined the chorus of critics on Thursday, saying urgent action was needed to arrest the decline.
“It’s a sad indictment on where our industry is at when someone who has been as passionate about it as Jon Haseler decides to basically give it away. Nobody seems to understand how critical our plight is,” Heathcote said.
Wilson said he did not believe the industry was in crisis but it did face a turning point, with NSW pouring millions into prizemoney increases that were directly affecting Queensland.
“We are very aware of the prizemoney gap,” Wilson said.
“It’s virtually an arms race. Not only have you got standard metropolitan and provincial meetings where there’s a big gap, but you’ve also got The Everest and the top-end races.
“They are all factors and we have to be able to respond.”
Wilson pointed out the new RQ board was managing a $21 million 2015-16 deficit, but said the latest indicators on wagering were encouraging.
“The summer carnival was a great success. The average race turnover was up 22 per cent,” he said. “Overall this year to date, we are up 9.9 per cent across the board (with wagering turnover on Queensland product).”
Within that, thoroughbreds are up 12.9 per cent and greyhounds up more than 9 per cent, while harness racing is worryingly down 5 per cent.
While turnover figures will deliver long-term funding, the potential for an immediate injection can come if the Tabcorp and Tatts merger is successful.
It is estimated Queensland would benefit by $20-$25 million from the merger.
RQ has signed a deed of understanding with Tabcorp, meaning if the merger happens, RQ has more certainty about the benefits the merger will deliver.
The deed of understanding includes more investment for racing infrastructure.
Tabcorp chief executive David Attenborough remains confident the merger will go ahead, despite Racing Victoria opposing it with the Australian Competition Tribunal.
“As part of the merger we are committed to a whole lot of investment, sponsorships and marketing,” he said.
By Nathan Exelby