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17 March 2008
QRL & QCRC meet to discuss 2008/09 Dates & Funding
Queensland Racing Limited (QRL) today met with the Queensland Country Racing Committee (QCRC) to discuss race date and funding proposals for 2008/09.
QRL Chairman, Mr Bob Bentley said: “The QCRC was formally advised today that its latest proposal had been rejected by the Board of QRL.”
“QRL and the QCRC discussed a number of variations to the QCRC submission and the initial proposal put forward by QRL, Mr Bentley said.
“QCRC delegates were keen to achieve an increased level of prizemoney for Country Racing, but were faced with the realisation that based on previous years performances, the number of race dates in their proposal could not be sustained.
“The proposal put forward by the QCRC did not provide for a properly integrated racing program, which addressed deficiencies that had been highlighted during recent racing seasons.
“These issues are clearly evident when considering that 52 Non-TAB race meetings during the 2006/07 financial year failed to attract 30 or more starters.”
The original QR proposal that reduced the race date numbers by 21 and increased prizemoney to $5,000 per race and injected an additional $350,000 for free racing was again open for discussion, however prior to any final acceptance the Chairman Mr Bentley agreed to participate in teleconferences with the Associations to explain the rationale behind QRL’s proposal and to ensure country stakeholders are properly informed as to the immediate future of County Racing.
“QRL has begun working on a sustainable funding model for Country Racing and will engage the Queensland Government, the QCRC and key stakeholders in discussions to ensure that country racing is both relevant and sustainable into the future,” Mr Bentley said.
Listed below is a high level overview of the proposal put forward by QRL that is achievable with the removal of 21 Non-TAB meetings:
- Increased base prizemoney to $5,000 per race (+25%)
- Increased QRSE race prizemoney to $7,000 (+16.7%)
- Removal of all unplaced starter fees, this generates a saving of approximately $350,000 to Country Stakeholders.
For further media information please contact QRL Senior Communications Officer, Claire Power, on (07) 3869 9760.
Ends.
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