Trainer Ryan Balfour is frustrated with the direction Adelaide racing is heading and hopeful the state government can turn it around by delivering funds it collects from a newly introduced point of consumption tax.
Last week South Australia’s peak racing body, Thoroughbred Racing SA, announced cuts to both infrastructure funding and prize money.
Balfour, whose father David was a successful jockey and trainer in Adelaide, hopes the racing bodies can lobby the government and get them to realise how important the industry is to the state.
“It is so frustrating. We’re only asking for something back from what we earn for them anyway,” Balfour said.
“It’s a bit sad over here at the moment. Prize money seems to be getting better everywhere else and it’s disappointing that we’re not improving.
“If we’re not careful we’ll end up heading the way of the trots.”
Balfour will not immediately consider moving from his base at Morphettville as Phillip Stokes and Lloyd Kennewell have done, but he is thinking of racing more in Victoria.
“It’s better for the middle-rung horses racing over there because the owners get something back and hopefully they can be competitive,” he said.
Balfour had Balf’s Choice run in Wednesday’s Lord Stakes at Caulfield and will be represented by Cashed in the Punters.com.au Handicap (1000m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Cashed was scratched from Morphettville on Wednesday with Saturday’s race in mind.
“We were looking for the right race with him and trying to pick the right surface as well,” Balfour said.
“He does appreciate a little bit of give so the StrathAyr is always a little bit kinder and there’s a rough chance of a tiny bit of rain on the day as well.
“It’s a nice race with a bit of depth and I’ve got a lot of respect for Thermal Current and those horses, but I’m happy with my bloke and if there’s any give in the track it will enhance his chances.”
