NSW Bushfires

Racing NSW today announced a one-off emergency funding relief package for owners, trainers and jockeys affected by the bushfires on the NSW South Coast.

The funding relief is a response to the losses endured from the abandonment of race meetings and other damage caused by the bushfires.

Financial support will be provided to participants affected by the loss of the race meetings as well as support payments to participants directly impacted by the bushfires.

“There has been a substantial interruption to horses' programs as well as personal and business disruption and losses suffered by participants as a consequence of the bushfires,” said Racing NSW’s Chief Executive, Mr Peter V’landys AM.

Three race meetings have been abandoned due to the bush fires.

31 December 2019 - Nowra (abandoned 7.15am day of meeting)
2 January 2020 - Sapphire Coast (abandoned 31 December 2019)
6 January 2020 - Moruya (abandoned 1 January 2020)

Funding relief will be as follows for horses that were set to race at these meetings:

Nowra and Sapphire Coast (Acceptances Taken)
i) abandoned race meeting payment of $200 per horse scheduled to race or $500 for horses trained on the South Coast based at Nowra or further south, to be credited to the owners' account
ii) 4 rides payment per jockey per meeting for all riders engaged, regardless of the number of rides
iii) 1 x $500 one-off payment for South Coast trainers that had runners at one of those meetings based on the South Coast at Nowra or further south

Moruya 6 January 2020 (Abandoned before acceptances)
i) abandoned race meeting payment of $100 per nominated horse or $500 for nominated horses trained on the South Coast based at Nowra or further south, to be credited to the owners' account
ii) a further one-off payment equal to 4 rides for affected jockeys based on the South Coast at Nowra or further south
iii) 1 x $500 one-off payment for South Coast trainers based on the South Coast at Nowra or further south that had runners nominated for the Moruya meeting (if not otherwise payable for Nowra or Sapphire Coast)

Trainers must credit the per horse payments to the owners' monthly accounts.

The abandoned race meeting at Goulburn on 20 December 2019 was also the subject of travel payments for horses scheduled to race and compensatory payments to jockeys engaged to ride at that meeting.

In addition to the above, with the impact of the bush fires, there is also general funding available on application for any participants affected by the fires.

Racing NSW has been contacting participants directly and is assisting with immediate needs.

“In addition to the lack of racing opportunities, there has been significant loss suffered by participants through associated costs,” Mr V’landys added.

“Racing NSW is conscious of the extra financial burden this causes and will assist with funding to replace or replenish supplies and equipment."

For any inquiries please contact Keith Bulloch at Racing NSW via phone on (02) 9551 7588 or kbulloch@racingnsw.com.au

By Mark Brassel

Mudgee Race Club will be pitching in and doing its bit for bushfire-ravaged NSW on Tuesday.

The club will stage a seven-race meeting that was originally marked down for Orange but transferred due to the drought.

“I’ve just returned from the fire station and have a heap of donation buckets for Tuesday,” said MRC’s secretary/manager, Colleen Walker.

There'll be some great racing action at Mudgee on Tuesday. Image by Janian McMillan (Racing Photography)

“We’ll be raising much-needed funds for the volunteers at the Rural Fire Brigade who have all been doing it so tough in the past few weeks.

“The forecast is for 34 degrees so we will have a misting system operating to keep the horses cool.”

Meanwhile, Racing NSW announced a one-off emergency funding relief package for owners, trainers and jockeys affected by the deadly bushfires on the NSW South Coast.

The funding relief is a response to the losses endured from the abandonment of race meetings and other damage caused by the bushfires.

Financial support will be provided to participants affected by the loss of the race meetings as well as support payments to participants directly impacted by the bushfires.

“There has been a substantial interruption to horse’s programs as well as personal and business disruption and losses suffered by participants as a consequence of the bushfires,” said Racing NSW’s Chief Executive, Mr Peter V’landys AM.

There is also general funding available on application for any participants affected by the fires, with Racing NSW having contacted participants directly to assist with immediate needs.

“In addition to the lack of racing opportunities, there has been significant loss suffered by participants through associated costs,” Mr V’landys added.

“Racing NSW is conscious of the extra financial burden this causes and will assist with funding to replace or replenish supplies and equipment.”

Next Sunday Coffs Harbour Racing Club will host its 14th annual Pink Silks Ladies Raceday.

“Coffs Harbour Pink Silks Perpetual Trust is a local registered charity and we are committed to raising awareness and funds for local women who are challenged by cancer or illness,” explained CHRC’s CEO, Tim Saladine.

“We’re currently verging on the $1 million milestone for the Pink Silks Trust and hope to achieve this on raceday.

“A crowd of in excess of 2000 is expected to form a sea of pink, with fashions and kids’ entertainment with face painters and jumping castles.

“And we will again be running the Wayne Glenn Pink Silks Cup, an all-female riders’ race.

“There is a massive luncheon and a monster charity raffle after the last race where we’re hoping the girls can crack the million!”

Wagga race on Thursday with the feature event, the Suez Australia Summer Sprint (1200m). There will also be a heat of the Wagga Stayer Series over 1800m.