Kindred bodies continue to apply pressure

Victorian harness racing’s kindred bodies are recording some significant victories but are continuing their determined campaign to return the industry to secure footing and future.

The five kindred bodies (Victorian Harness Racing Club, Victorian Square Trotters Association, Trots Clubs Victoria, Trainers and Drivers Association and Harness Breeders Victoria) are galvanizing their efforts against savage cuts and the parlous financial state confirmed by Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) last year.

HRV representatives did not attend any of six industry forums held by the Kindred Bodies at Cranbourne, Shepparton, Ballarat, Terang, Bendigo, and Mildura in October, but they drew more than 500 harness racing participants and stakeholders for lively debate and exchange of ideas.

The concerns and issues raised at the forums formed key discussion points for the first meeting of Kindred Body presidents with the new HRV chairman Bernard Saundry late last year.

The presidents passed on the “considerable concern” of the Victorian Harness Racing Industry about its future in the face of reductions in stakemoney and Vicbred Bonuses and increased costs, with many questioning their viability and future in the sport.

“We received a good hearing from Bernard and left the meeting confident he would bring open and transparent leadership to HRV and was looking to work closer and more collaboratively with industry stakeholders,” the presidents said.

Based on clear feedback expressed by stakeholders and participants at the Industry Forums, the Kindred Bodies provided the following recommendations to the new Chairman of Harness Racing Victoria:

1. That Vicbred First Win Bonuses should be reinstated or largely reinstated and funded by further reductions in feature race stakemoney.

– HRV announced an increase in Vicbred Bonuses from what had previously been announced in October. Whilst the increase in acceptance fees was higher than we would have liked, the Kindred Bodies are of the view that the partial reinstatement of Bonuses is positive and a step in the right direction.

2. That Victoria adopt concessions for 2yos and 3yos as part of the National Ratings System, similar to other States.

– The overwhelming view throughout the industry, as heard loud and clear at the forums, is that the NR system is too harsh on 2yos and 3yos. This, in turn, disincentivizes breeding and the purchase of young stock at the yearling sales.

3. That HRV withdraw its support for Harness Racing Australia’s Stallion Levy and refuse to be part of any such scheme.

– There was not one person at any of the Forums who was supportive of the Stallion Levy, with a clear, unanimous view asking why Victorian breeders should have to pay more to breed their mares to a stallion of their choice to fund the world’s richest harness race in NSW.

4. That HRV review programming and racing policies and do what is reasonably necessary to ensure field sizes in Victoria are maximized.

– There is a clear understanding from stakeholders within the industry of the need to maximize turnover and the link between field size and turnover. We currently have too many small fields, which impact turnover and, in turn, our ability to fund stakemoney.

5. That Mildura meetings in summer be conducted at night instead of day.

– The harness racing community in the northern part of the State expressed significant concern at the Forums with the number of day meetings allocated to Mildura in the summer period. We note that HRV has recently issued a number of calendar amendments, with several day meetings replaced by night fixtures at Mildura in the Summer months.

6. Restore the number of meetings in the Western Region of the State.

– As part of the new HRV Calendar for 2024/25, there has been a significant reduction in meetings at venues in the west of the State (Terang, Hamilton, Horsham, Ararat, and Stawell). This is causing significant angst amongst western-based participants and forcing them to travel further – something that the new calendar was hoping to reduce, not increase.

7. Fill the vacant positions on the HRV Board.

For the past two years, there has been at least one and often two vacant positions on the HRV Board. There is frustration that, in such challenging times and with the previous Board seemingly lost and devoid of answers, there are skilful, capable, and knowledgeable people within the industry who could make a difference on the Board. In late December, the Racing Minister Anthony Carbines announced the appointment of Magistrate John Doherty to the Board. Mr Doherty previously served on the Board from 2001-2009 and continued his involvement in harness racing with service on the HRV Integrity Council (2010-2017) and representation on the RAD Board. He was also a Deputy Chair of the Independent Victorian Racing Tribunal (2017-2022).  One unfilled vacancy remains on the HRV Board.

Additional Key Points Highlighted to Bernard Saundry

•  It is critical and the Industry rightfully expects that HRV will deliver administration and operating efficiencies for the benefit of the wider industry.
•  It is essential that Harness Racing Victoria have a future fund, and that part of the vacant land at Melton needs to be retained by the harness industry for this intended purpose.
•  Leadership at HRV needs to be more visible and communication enhanced with the wider industry.

Mr. Saundry committed to meeting with the Presidents of the Kindred Bodies soon to provide an update on developments.

by Harnesslink Media