Tasracing met with representatives from the three codes of racing and have agreed to the detail of the industry support package developed in response to the COVID 19 crisis.
Tasracing CEO Paul Eriksson said the welfare of racing animals was top of mind during discussions with industry.
“The focus is on keeping the animals in work and fit for a return to racing,” he said.
“Amounts to be paid will be calculated on a daily basis and paid fortnightly.
“Trainers will be able to apply for support either online or using paper forms.
“Information provided by trainers will be checked and verified by the Office of Racing Integrity stewards.”
The $2 million scheme is funded through savings achieved by Tasracing during the shutdown and a loan from the Tasmanian Government that can be drawn down as required.
The scheme will be backdated to 1 April.
The scheme will be under constant review as circumstances develop.
Jockeys and drivers should be eligible for the Jobkeeper payment while clubs and other organisations may be eligible for a range of packages through the State and Federal Governments.
Mr Eriksson said Tasracing and the industry will work with the Tasmanian Government and the Department of Health to determine the criteria and conditions for a return to racing.
“While the animals will be kept in work, they will lose some race fitness and, depending on the code, any return to racing would be two to eight weeks after the decision to return has been made,” he said.
The scheme will be managed by Tasracing which is in the process of preparing application forms and establishing protocols that should be in place in the next few days.
Thoroughbred Racing Support Package
- No payment made for a horse that is spelling, only for horses in work.
- Payments are made to the trainer (as the responsible person for welfare) for the horses in work.
- Trainers must apply to the scheme and nominate each horse that is in work. This will be validated against stable returns for last two months and if insufficient or ambiguous then number of starts in the last two months.
- Acknowledge that a horse may go out of work and another come in to work if the shutdown extends over a period of time.
- The day rate for a horse in work is $38 per day plus GST (where applicable). This does not preclude the trainers applying for any other incentive or assistance packages.
- Horses in work that are un-named must be approved by the stewards to be eligible.
Harness Racing Support Package
- No payment made for a horse that is spelling, only for horses in work.
- Payments are made to the trainer (as the responsible person for welfare) for the horses in work.
- Trainers must apply to the scheme and nominate each horse that is in work. This will be validated against stable returns for last two months and if insufficient or ambiguous then number of starts will be reviewed.
- Horses that are 4YO or older and have not started in the last six months are automatically excluded.
- Horses that are 2YO or 3YO and ready to race must be certified by the stewards as valid to be included.
- Rising 2YOs that are currently being broken in and educated included on lists of horses in work are eligible and must be approved by stewards.
- Acknowledge that a horse may go out of work and another come in to work if the shutdown extends over a period of time.
- The day rate for a horse in work is $35 per day plus GST (where applicable). This does not preclude the trainers applying for any other incentive or assistance packages
Greyhound Racing Support Package
- All greyhounds that are registered on OzChase are potentially entitled to a payment.
- Payments are made to the trainer (as the responsible person for welfare) for the greyhound.
- Trainers must apply to the scheme and nominate each greyhound (whether a racing dog, breeding dog or pup older than three months).
- The weekly rate for a greyhound is $50 per week per dog plus GST (where applicable).
- Pups under three months but older than six weeks (based on date of whelping notice) will receive a payment of $20 per week per pup plus GST.
- It is expected that pups that are between three months at the time they are named are still listed as registered on OzChase and are eligible for support.
- All applications will be validated against OzChase and the last six months of racing data.
- The assistance does not preclude the trainers applying for any other incentive or assistance packages.