The introduction of a new $3.4 million Vicbred Platinum scheme to Victoria’s harness racing sector will help to grow jobs and economic benefits throughout rural and regional areas of the State.
The Victorian Coalition Government will provide $1.55 million over the next four years to establish Vicbred Platinum, providing enormous incentive to breed, buy and race harness racehorses in Victoria. Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) will provide a further $1.88 million to the scheme.
Minister for Racing Denis Napthine said Vicbred Platinum would add to the existing $6.5 million Vicbred program for Victorian bred trotters and pacers and will include a focus on fillies and mares races.
“While Victoria already leads the nation for breeding pacers and trotters – with more than 40 per cent bred here – Vicbred Platinum will create important incentives for additional fillies and mares to be owned and raced in Victoria, and will ensure broodmares remain and foal down here.
“Vicbred Platinum will also make the state even more attractive for local and interstate breeders to bring their broodmares to foal in Victoria, which in turn creates employment and economic stimulus in regional Victoria,” Dr Napthine said.
The Vicbred Platinum scheme will include:
· Vicbred Platinum Mares Sprint Championship – 25 races to be run at each of the Victorian Country Cup meetings. This comprises of a 20 race series for pacers with stakes of $10,000 and a final of $40,000 as well as a five race series for trotters with stakes of $10,000 and a final of $30,000. Restricted to C0-C4 classes that have not attained a metropolitan assessment
· Vicbred Platinum Country Series – 15 events across all racetracks including two $7,000 heats and a $10,000 final. Aimed at maiden and lower classed pacers and trotters.
· Vicbred Platinum Metropolitan bonus races – up to eight metropolitan class races with stakes ranging from $15,000 to $40,000 (pacers and trotters).
To be eligible for the Vicbred Platinum Program, the horse must meet the current Vicbred eligibility criteria and have a VICTORIAN FREEZEBRAND
Vicbred Platinum Racedates for 2012/13
Vicbred Platinum Country Series