MEDIA RELEASE
MAIDEN STAKE ENHANCEMENT TO BE INTRODUCED FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE 2016/17 HARNESS RACING SEASON
Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) and the New Zealand Racing Board (NZRB) today announced a boost to maiden winning stakes beginning on 29 March and continuing through until the end of the current season on 31 July 2017.
The initiative is a direct result of the NZRB’s Industry Enhancement Funding that was announced in January this year.
The Board of HRNZ last week agreed to implement the scheme with immediate effect, to provide increased returns to owners as quickly as possible.
A stakes supplement of $1500 will be paid to all first time winners of totalisator races under $15,000 between now and the end of the season.
“Harness Racing NZ has clearly stated that any additional industry funding will be targeted at the grass roots of the industry, and this initiative is a great vehicle to do this,” said HRNZ Chairman, Ken Spicer.
Spicer added that, “A number of initiatives were explored, but we felt this one was the most appropriate option at this point in time.”
John Allen, NZRB CEO welcomed HRNZ’s initiative: “We are very pleased to support HRNZ in lifting stakes for maidens; we created these enhancement funds in response to a very clear message that the industry requires increased financial support now, and it’s great to have the codes utilising this funding and working with us to address this issue.”
Allen added that “through this Industry Enhancement Fund, more than $2.8 million will be made available across the three codes to tactically boost stakes over the current and next two seasons, with the aim being to provide greater returns to owners, trainers and jockeys, in turn attracting higher quality racing and improving the overall race experience for industry people and punters alike.”
Mr Spicer said “HRNZ would continue to work closely with the NZRB to ascertain the best ways to boost funding next season. This will be announced in the ‘HRNZ Funding Policy’ for next season which the Board will confirm over the next two months.”
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