Australian Racing Board Meeting

The Australian Racing Board met in Melbourne yesterday with the following outcomes:-

• Enhancement of National Programming

The Board has appointed a taskforce that will combine the National Race Dates and Programming Advisory Group and the Australian Pattern Committee, to be lead by Australian Racing Board Directors, Stephen Harvey, Bob Bentley and Bob Pearson. Its task will be to develop a blueprint for national programming in the Australia Racing Industry.

The taskforce will convene initially to identify a clear set of achievable directives, a road map for change, and a timeframe that would enable the introduction of reforms by the 2006/07 racing season. One of the important subjects to be dealt with will be to identify the programming, prizemoney, breeders incentive schemes and other measures that could be implemented to sustain and strengthen the breeding and racing of staying horses, which, in terms of the history of the sport, have always been an important and popular feature of Australian thoroughbred racing.

In establishing the task force the Board strongly endorses the work done by Thoroughbred Racing S.A and the support given by the SA Premier, the Racing Minister and their Government to reschedule part of the Adelaide racing carnival and the accompanying public holiday from May to March. In this regard the Chairman of the Australian Racing Board Mr Andrew Ramsden, said:

“The Adelaide Cup has been the staple of Adelaide’s sporting and social life since it was first run in 1864, and its movement to March will not only provide it with the best platform for its growth as a major sporting event but will also neatly complement existing events in the National racing programming. This move will greatly enhance the progression and impact of carnival racing in Australia”

• National Friday Twilight schedule 2004/2005

The Board of Directors endorsed a recommendation to initiate a national Friday twilight schedule to commence in November 2004 and run for the duration of the daylight savings period ending March 2005.

All Race Clubs around Australia that are affected by this schedule have fully endorsed the concept and the timetable developed by the group. This initiative is seen as a positive step for national synergy and capitalises on opportunities disclosed by analysis of historical data for thoroughbred racing to increase wagering growth by staging race meetings in this timeslot.

SKY Channel has been included in the planning of this concept and its support has been sought in adjusting its program to ensure all effected races are broadcast.

[Further details please contact Mr Stephen Allanson, Chairman National Race Dates and Programming Group (03) 9258-4661]

• Stakeholder Cash Management System

The Board of Directors has endorsed an examination of the feasibility of developing a commercial clearing mechanism for the industry’s financial transactions with and between stakeholders.

The proposal has previously received support from the Australian Trainers Association who have indicated that there is a strong desire among trainers to improve cash management practices, to reduce costs, to facilitate debt collections issues and simplify owner billing. The study will include an examination of the existing systems in Australian and overseas including those in place in Hong Kong, Weatherby’s (UK) and New South Wales.

Racing Victoria has offered to manage this project on behalf of the Australian Racing Board.

• National Group Insurance Program

Approval has been given for an investigation to be undertaken of the possibilities for achieving savings for the industry through the implementation of a national insurance program. This project will build on the work already done on the establishment of a captive insurance program for public liability, which has already achieved a national annual saving of more than 2 million dollars, and a separate investigation of a feasibility of INDUSTRIAL SPECIAL RISKS PROGRAM (ISR).

• National Jockeys’ Celebration Day 2005

The Board has given its full support to the second staging of the National Jockeys’ Celebration Day to be held on 5th March 2005. This day serves important purposes not only in recognising the contribution by jockeys, and the raising of money for the National Jockeys’ Trust, but it also provides an alternative showcase for the important place that thoroughbred racing occupies in Australian life.

The Australian Jockeys’ Association will lead the organisation of this day and State and Territory bodies have made a commitment to give it their full support in coordination of local events.

The National Jockeys’ Trust, which has been established to hold and disperse funds from the celebration day to jockeys and their families in necessitous circumstances, has recently been granted endorsement as a public fund with Deductible Gift Recipient status under the Income Tax Assessment Act.