Racing Queensland Increases Prizemoney In Wake Of 30-Year Deal With Tatts Group

Prizemoney for Saturday metropolitan races will rise by A$20,000 ($18,600) to A$65,000 "in a major industry overhaul to be announced by Racing Queensland on Monday," according to Brad Davidson of the HERALD SUN. Midweek metropolitan prizemoney "will also increase" from A$17,000 to A$20,000 a race. Provincial races at the Gold Coast, Ipswich and Sunshine Coast will average A$16,000 each. The Gold Coast figure is up from A$13,000 a race or 23.1%, but is "well short of" the A$20,000 a race "the club had wanted." However, it means the club "will finally be able to offer more prizemoney a race" than rival northern New South Wales clubs Ballina (A$15,000) and Murwillumbah (A$15,000). The changes "come in the wake" of Racing Queensland’s A$4.5B 30-year deal with Tatts Group in June and "follows widespread criticism of prizemoney levels across the state" (HERALD SUN, 8/17).