2017 Summer of Glory
The Board has approved several changes to enhance HRV’s premier racing Carnival, the 2017 Summer of Glory.
The feature night of the Carnival will be A.G. Hunter Cup night on Saturday February 4. That night will now host four Group 1 races:
- A.G. Hunter Cup (Grand Circuit and Group 1)
- Victoria Derby (Group 1)
- Great Southern Star (Trotting Masters and Group 1)
- 4YO Bonanza (Group 1)
This represents quite a significant change from 2016 when the Great Southern Star was run in March and the Derby on Victoria Cup night.
The first night of the Carnival will include:
- Victoria Cup (Grand Circuit and Group 1)
- Australian Trotting Grand Prix (Group 1)
- Victoria Derby heats
The budget for the 2016/17 financial year is not finalised however it is anticipated stakemoney over the two nights will reach $2 million for the first time.
Some interesting service statistics coming from Harness Racing Australia recently. The 2015/16 number of services loaded onto the system seems to be very similar to the previous season despite predictions to the contrary.
This year’s figure will be very close to last year’s number of just under 6,000. Victorian services represent 68% of the national figure.
Tiered Prizemoney
The tiered prizemoney announcement has generated much industry debate.
There are several strategic motives for restructuring the way the total pool of stakemoney is divided. I emphasise that running more restricted races does not mean less prizemoney. The pool of stakemoney is not impacted but distributed differently.
Click here to watch the explanatory video produced by HRV's Trots Media and Vaughn Lynch explaining in detail the background behind the decision.
Pony Trots Growth
I was pleased to receive the 2015/16 Annual Report for the Pony Trots from Andrea Parkes.
Congratulations to Andrea and her band of volunteers for the great work being done with Pony Trots.
Some of the highlights from the comprehensive report:
- 14 new children in 2015/16
- 52 participants in total – highest number in over a decade
- 7 retirees at year’s end will apply for driving permits
- All clubs now co-operative in hosting events
- Recent Victorian Pony Trot graduates doing well around Australia – Jackie Barker, Jack Laugher (Tas), James Herbertson, Sam Barker, Ellen Bartley, Brook McPherson and Mitch Barker
- The industry is littered with former Pony Trot participants. Special achievements for graduates this year were: Jason Lee driving in the International All Star Series, and Josh Aiken driving in the Inter Dominion Series
- For the first time there was a Pony Trot Monte series
Well done to all involved including the many sponsors, clubs, race callers, volunteers and families who are ensuring a bright future for Pony Trots.
March Wagering Statistics
HRV will be providing much more detail publicly on wagering turnover information as analysed by Ryan Stanaway, Wagering and Racing Services Manager.
Numbers quoted below are total wagering turnover from the TAB and Corporates (excludes betting exchange which has a different model).
- Highest turnover race: Kilmore Cup (19/3) $526,000
- Highest turnover meeting: Melton (12/3) $3,400,000
- Average turnover per race: Mobiles $187,500
- Average turnover per race: Stands $154,400
- Average turnover per race: Pacers $185,000
- Average turnover per race: Trotters $180,000
Lowest turnover race was $45,400 and lowest turnover meeting was $863,000. These were on a Sunday which is now the poorest off-course wagering timeslot.
National Award – Larry Eastman
I was delighted to recently announce trainer Larry Eastman as the recipient of a Harness Racing Australia 2015 Meritorious Service Award.
HRV nominated Larry for the Award in recognition of his 40-year contribution to the industry which culminated in training his first Group 1 winner in 2015. By year’s end he had increased his tally to six Group 1 wins courtesy of Menin Gate (4), Morton Plains and Milly Perez.
Larry paid tribute to his wife Lynette in accepting the Award. For the full story clickhere.
Cobram Pink Ribbon Ladies Day
In a typical harness racing show of community spirit, congratulations to the Cobram Club which hosted a charity race day on May 5.
The day raised nearly $9,000 for the McGrath Foundation in support of breast cancer research.
Female drivers were dressed in pink and they were supported by many sponsors and trainers.
Well done to the Cobram Club and team leader Donna Castles for driving the day. It’s another example of a club initiative that generates community interest for a good cause.
Click here for a full wrap-up of the day.
Clarification
In the April newsletter I referred to the Mildura Cup meeting having the highest on-course turnover of all this season’s Country Cups. Ballarat has rightly queried that stat.
So here are the specific facts:
- Mildura had the highest on-course TAB turnover of any Cup meeting ($119,000, compared to Ballarat’s $102,000)
- Ballarat had the highest turnover when bookmakers are included ($153,000 compared to Mildura’s $142,000)
- Shepparton completed the trifecta with $111,000 total turnover
Clubs are paid a 10% fee by HRV for on-course turnover as an incentive to attract punters to the track.
Vale Roy Junor
HRV was saddened to hear of the passing in April of harness racing stalwart Roy Junor at age 79.
Roy was a licensed person for several decades before relinquishing his licence in 2008, however I remember him most for his tireless work for the Diamond Valley Club. He was a lovely, kind man, devoted to his family and will be sadly missed.
Did You Know?
- Emma Stewart became the first trainer ever to train seven winners in a night twice when she did it again last Friday night (May 13) (previous time on February 4 this year). She trained five winners at Melton and two at Globe Derby. Steve Turnbull, John McCarthy, Lance Justice and Julie Weidemann have achieved the feat once.
-
|
|
|