Victorian Harness Racing Club – Proposed Prize Money Tiers

Dear Members,

At the meeting between the Presidents of the Kindred Bodies and Harness Racing Victoria yesterday, the VHRC was provided with a copy of the proposed stakes tiers (outlined below) that will apply in Victoria from 1 October 2023. These adjusted tiers are necessitated based on the need to reduce prize money in Victoria by $3.9M as part of a $10M operational savings initiative required at HRV.

HRV is providing Industry stakeholders a limited window of time to provide feedback and input on the proposed stake tiers and this feedback must be conveyed in writing and must be done through the kindred bodies. Accordingly, If any VHRC Member would like to provide feedback and input on the proposed stakemoney tiers that will apply from 1 October 2023 as outlined below, please submit this feedback in writing to vhrsc@vhrsc.com.au by 9:00 pm on Tuesday 15 August 2023.

Members should note that whilst all feedback will be considered and passed on to HRV, ultimately the decision as to prize money levels and tiers rests with Harness Racing Victoria.

HRV $3.9M in Prizemoney Reductions

The VHRC is advised that the $3.9M in prize money reductions in Victoria will come from –

• 50% from feature racing
• 25% from metro
• 25% from country

 Country & Metro Prize Money Levels as Proposed by HRV will be as follows from 1 October 2023:

• The minimum stakemoney level is proposed to be $4,000 for races up to NR40. This class of racing represents 2 per cent of all races held during ‘23/24 season (about 88 out of 4200 races).
• Metro Races stakemoney ranges from $15,000 to $25,000, incrementally rising as per the revised tiering system.
• Prizemoney on base races is predicated by the maximum NR criteria (ceiling) on each race and is used as a discretionary tool to determine the associated prizemoney pool. For example, a National Rating (NR) 55-60 race would be $8,000 and a NR 56-69 would be $9,000.

Feature Racing Principles

HRV advise that they are trying to maintain Group 1 & 2 levels where possible on pacing and trotting races and also protecting mares’ races where possible.

HRV also advise that the A G Hunter Cup, Great Southern Star and Victora Cup will retain current prizemoney levels.

HRV are proposing adjustments to a number of feature races including the following:

• 3YO Breeders Crown finals have been reduced from $200,000 to $150,000
• 2YO Breeders Crown finals have been reduced from $300,000 to $200,000
• Ballarat Cup has been reduced from $150,000 to $100,000
• 4YO Bonanza has been reduced from $100,000 to $75,000
• Australian Trotting Grand Prix has been reduced from $100,000 to $75,000
• Ladyship Cup has been reduced from $100,000 to $75,000

HRV is consulting with Country Clubs and Trots Club Victoria to identify small levels of adjustments that will apply for Country Cups.

Vicbred first win bonuses will not be affected and will remain at current levels.

Kind Regards,

Susan Hunter
Victorian Harness Racing Club