ATA Victorian Branch – Members Update

INDUSTRY WAGERING AND FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
RV Chairman Rob Roulston provided the ATA Victorian Branch Committee with an extensive update and overview of the wagering and financial landscape. With the continuing growth in fixed odds wagering at the expense of the traditional Tabcorp pari-mutuel products (retail, phone betting etc) and the rapid and sustained growth of corporate bookmakers, RV expects reduced returns from Tabcorp. To address this shortfall, increased product fees have been introduced for corporate bookmakers, which are expected to neutralise the reductions and post an overall increase in revenue to the Victorian racing industry. RV is also exploring international wagering growth opportunities and has commenced dialogue with both major political parties prior to the November state election to secure a better financial compensation deal for the loss of gaming revenue.

PRIZEMONEY
RV has advised the ATA that there will be a modest increase in prize money for the new season, through Friday night minimums at Cranbourne increased to $20,000.  On a very positive note, SuperVOBIS payouts increased by $900,000 from the 2012/13 racing season and RV has budgeted for a 10% increase in payouts for 2014/2015. VOBIS Gold races have increased from 10 to 13 in the new season.

NEW DIGITAL MEDIA PLATFORM
RV is planning to launch its new digital media platform in September and has agreed to an ATA request to brief trainers on this project and its benefits to the industry at the Trainers’ Open Day on August 18. In addition to its major promotional role for Victorian racing, it is expected to include an interactive component to help trainers with planning and selecting race programs for their horses.

OWNER/TRAINER SECURITY MODEL
The Owner/Trainer Security Model will be presented to the September meeting of the ARB for its approval. RV Chairman and ARB Board member Rob Roulston is confident of its imminent approval which will address one of the most critical issues of Owners debt and dispute resolution.

TRAINERS HEALTH ISSUES
The ATA initiative to address Trainers Health issues through the provision of professional assistance for those in need with depression and mental health issues, will take an important step forward with the announcement at the Trainers’ Open Day that the Beyondblue organisation has been retained by Racing Victoria. ATA Chief Executive John Alducci and RV Chief Executive Bernard Saundry have progressed this initiative with both Beyondblue and the Victorian Racing Minister Denis Napthine.  Beyondblue professional services will also be extended to families and staff of trainers needing assistance.  The ATA has secured the support and participation of John Sadler in an ambassadorial role

TRAINERS OPEN DAY
RV has advised the ATA that over 150 trainers have registered for the Trainers Open day on August 18. The key elements of the Open Day will include visits to and presentations on the Racing Analytical Services laboratory (RASL), the Virtual Stewards Room, conduct of the Barrier Draw, RISA and the Call Centre, Veterinary Services, Track Management, Broadcasting and the Digital Media Platform, culminating in a Q&A opportunity with senior RV management.

TRACK RENOVATION AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
RV has acknowledged that the hasty return to racing at venues which have undergone major renovation and maintenance work, such as Sandown and Ballarat, has been the major factor in the transfer of race meetings to other venues.  The RV Infrastructure department is reviewing its return to racing policy to avoid the issues which have caused the problems and resulted in many venues being unavailable for racing during the last season. RV is planning to stage more country turf meetings next winter with the return of Ballarat and with Moe and Geelong hosting more race meetings during the winter period. The completion of the new Pakenham synthetic track will result in synthetic track race meetings being shared between Geelong and Pakenham during next year’s synthetic racing season.

RACE DAY EFFICIENCY REVIEW
The ATA has expressed its opposition to the proposed changes to the Race Day Efficiency Review in relation to the reduction in the number of clerks of the course. The issue is the subject of a VCAT challenge.

INDUSTRY FEES AND CHARGES  /  TRAINING TRACKS MAINTENANCE FUNDING
Following ATA representations, RV has commenced a review of its Training Tracks Maintenance Funding for race clubs. The ATA has expressed its very strong concerns at the escalating costs of racing which is driving owners and trainers out of racing. RV has indicated that it will soon release a discussion paper on the subject.

CHANGES TO TRACK RATINGS AND LATE SCRATCHING POLICY
RV will release changes to its Late Scratching Policy in line with national changes to the Track ratings policy and will seek feedback from trainers over the next month prior to new policies being finalised for introduction on December 1.

The new Track Ratings Scale is : 

RENEWAL OF LICENSES FOR DISQUALIFIED PERSONS
RV has reiterated the re-licensing process for Disqualified trainers, whereby applications for disqualified trainers seeking to be re-licensed are referred to the RV Board for consideration before they are approved.