FREE NOMINATIONS & TRAINERS PERCENTAGE MODEL BEST IN AUSTRALIA

Feedback received from ATA members has overwhelmingly endorsed the Free Nominations System and Trainers’ Percentage Model in Victoria as being the best in Australia.

While Racing Victoria will continue to monitor it, the ATA believes the future of the ATA-initiated system is secure and trainers and owners will continue to enjoy the benefits of lower costs associated with the elimination of nomination fees, reduced administration costs and the extension of prize money to 10th place in all Victorian races.

The extension of prize money to the 10th placegetter ensures that trainers receive their share of prize money percentages, and, with average field sizes in Victoria tracking at 10.2 starters, it means trainers effectively receive a starters fee which is a great result.

CONGRATULATIONS TO BART

Racing’s living legend Bart Cummings has done it again, winning the prestigious Fred Hoysted Award for the most outstanding training performance on Victorian racetracks for the 2009-2010 racing season. A panel of 20 judges representing a wide cross section of the Victorian racing industry selects bi-monthly winners for the racing season and then votes for the overall winner from the six bi-monthly winners at the end of the racing season.

Bart Cummings’ performance - winning four individual Group One races with four different horses - Viewed (Caulfield Cup), So You Think (Cox Plate), Faint Perfume (VRC Oaks) and Allez Wonder (Toorak Handicap), during the October/November spring period, was overwhelmingly voted by the judging panel as the outstanding training performance during the 2009-2010 racing season.

Bart Cummings’ success made it back to back wins for the training legend, having won the 2008-2009 racing season Award for his outstanding training performance during the same period. He has now won the Fred Hoysted Award on three occasions, which is a record for winners of the Award.

The ATA extends its congratulations to Bart Cummings.

MEMORABLE RACING SEASON FOR PETER MOODY

Congratulations are also extended to Peter Moody for winning his first Victorian metropolitan training premiership during the 2009-2010 racing season.

An active participant in the ATA Victorian Branch Committee, Peter Moody not only enjoyed an outstanding racing season in both the metropolitan and country areas, but also posted a host of black type and Group race wins in Victoria and interstate.

Outstanding performances from horses such as the champion race mare Typhoon Tracy and fellow Group and black type winners in Black Caviar, Wanted, Set For Fame, Avenue, Headway, Reward For Effort and Doubtful Jack, made the 2009/2010 racing season a successful and memorable one for Peter Moody.

ATA PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE SCHEME

The ATA has received many enquiries relating to Personal Accident Insurance. Trainers are reminded that membership of the ATA automatically entitles them to a limited death and other benefits cover, but does not include benefits for temporary incapacity.

However, the ATA has negotiated at a separate cost, a Personal Accident Insurance Policy that compliments the automatic Member Insurance benefit by providing for temporary disablement benefits.

Trainers interested in learning more about this separate Personal Accident Insurance Policy should contact Mike Kirby at the ATA office on (03) 9372 1688 or visit the ATA website www.austrainers.com.au