OWNER TRAINER SECURITY MODEL
Final approval for the implementation of the Owner Trainer Security Model is expected to be provided by the ARB at its quarterly meeting on Wednesday 3 December. Pending the final stage of the approval process it is anticipated that the Implementation Plan will aim at a commencement date early in the new racing season. To reiterate, Racing Victoria has advised the ATA that there will be no costs to Trainers who will be able to activate security for unpaid owners debts at their discretion. Full details of the Approved Model will be provided to Trainers in due course.
NATIONAL TRAINERS TRUST
Following a full briefing and representations by the ATA, the incoming Labor Government has included a $200,000 contribution to the National Trainers Trust as part of their Racing Policy for Victoria. All the necessary legislative and regulatory documentation for the National Trainers Trust set up by the ATA, has been completed and formally signed off. Inaugural Trustees are Ross Inglis (Ryan Carlisle Thomas and ATA legal advisor); the Hon. Michael Duffy (former Federal Attorney General and RV Chairman) and ATA Chief Executive John Alducci. The Trust will assess the criteria of serious necessitous circumstances caused through serious illness or injury, or death when assessing claims for financial assistance for Trainers and their families.
TRAINERS WELLBEING RESOURCES
The ATA is grateful to Racing Victoria for committing to provide and fund a separate resource to continue the Trainers Wellbeing Programme which was initiated by the ATA with strong support from RV and Beyondblue. As part of their support package, a Liaison Officer will be appointed and website created along with a series of Information Sessions arranged to provide assistance in areas promoting general health, financial counselling and business improvement.
NEW TRACK RATING AND PREPARATION POLICY
The new Track Rating and Track Preparation Policy for Victoria was introduced on December 1 and the new Policy has been communicated in detail to Trainers by both the ATA and RV. At the request of the ATA, RV has advised that the Late Scratching policy will remain unchanged when the new Track Ratings Policy is introduced.
Key changes include:
> Track to be prepared and able to race as a Good 3 for the majority of the race meeting but NOT be a Firm 2 or Firmer.
> Track rating to be advised for what it is expected to be at Race 1, the commencement of the race meeting.
> The Accuracy of the Track rating is the key component of compliance with the new Track Rating and Preparation Policy.
The ATA has requested RV to include a workshop process/strategy in communicating the new Policy to Trainers at all metropolitan and regional Training Centres.
The new Track Ratings Scale is :
Rating |
Numerical Rating |
Description of Numerical Rating |
Firm |
1 |
Dry hard track |
Firm |
2 |
Firm track with reasonable grass coverage |
Good |
3 |
Track with good grass coverage and cushion |
Good |
4 |
Track with some give in it |
Soft |
5 |
Track with a reasonable amount of give in it |
Soft |
6 |
Moist but not a badly affected track |
Soft |
7 |
More rain-affected track that will chop out |
Heavy |
8 |
Rain affected track that horses will get into |
Heavy |
9 |
Wet track getting into a squelchy area |
Heavy |
10 |
Heaviest category track, very wet, towards saturation |
A further review of adding a ratings scale for Synthetic Tracks is to be separately completed by the ARB. The outcome of the review will be announced and an implementation plan and timing will be advised in due course.
INDUSTRY FEES AND CHARGES TRIAL AT CRANBOURNE TRAINING CENTRE
The proposed Trial of a pilot program at Cranbourne where a fee from prize money earned by Cranbourne trained horses will be rebated by RV to the Cranbourne Turf Club in lieu of Industry fees and charges associated with training (e.g. facilities fees) has been approved by the Cranbourne Trainers Group and will commence on January 1. The performance of the Trial will be monitored by RV and will influence planning for training fees systems at other training centres.
INELIGIBLE NOMINATIONS
RV has advised that, following ATA representations, system changes at RISA will be completed to alert trainers at the time of nominations that nominations will be rejected immediately if there is an incomplete stable return.
REVIEW OF WAGERING IN LIGHT OF LATER STARTS
RV has agreed to provide the ATA with data relating to an analysis of wagering revenue resulting from later starts and later finishes to race meetings during the later winter and spring periods.
BUSINESS ASSISTANCE FOR TRAINERS
Running a viable business and making the necessary changes to achieve such a goal are prerequisites to maintaining a sustainable training operation. Members are reminded that should they need advice relating to the viability of operations of their training businesses, they should contact Wayne Lee at the ATA office, who can assist with what training fees should be charged for their business structure.
