Midweek meetings in Brisbane have received a boost with prizemoney to increase from $13,000 to $17,000 per race.
Further incentives to be introduced include $10,000 bonuses for 42 midweek races for two and three-year-olds under the Queensland Thoroughbred Incentive Scheme (QTIS).
Racing Queensland Limited (RQL) on Sunday announced the increases totalling $3.5 million over the three racing codes for the year beginning September 1.
RQL chairman Kevin Dixon said the changes were made possible by the new state government’s $5 million commitment to the QTIS.
“The funding allocation to QTIS from the government has freed up funds previously used by RQL for this purpose which can now be redirected toward much needed prizemoney,” Dixon said.
“In addition, RQL has identified internal administration savings which will be reallocated and used to fund the remaining $1 million of the increase.
“Whilst prizemoney is still far from parity with the southern states, RQL recognises that the new LNP Government has acted quickly to assist the industry.
“We know that better prizemoney attracts better fields, which in turn attracts higher wagering and it is wagering that keeps the industry ticking over.”
Dixon said country thoroughbred racing would also benefit with non-strategic race meetings increasing from $4000 per race to $5000.
Harness and greyhound racing have each been allocated an additional $400,000.
The money allocated to harness racing will be used to add races to existing meetings while the greyhound funding will be used for additional meetings.
