Austrotforum

Harness participants welcomed the announcement of a $110 million assistance package from the Federal Government on the weekend.With harness racing at a standstill in NSW and QLD and Thoroughbreds operating on a very restricted basis,there is no income flowing into participants via prizemoney.$44 million is aimed directly at day to day support of the horses in training in order to ensure a viable pool of racing stock when and if the "green light" to resume is given.However,the distribution formula for this $44 million is bizarre indeed.Harness people and those involved in the performance horse sector,are entitled to to query a formula which claims that a galloper costs three times the amount for basic maintainence than your pacer,and or 'performance" horse.After all,the horse sports in the 21st century in Australia almost universally feed premixed feed products as the energy component,and pay up to and beyond $30 for bales of lucerne hay.You don't get a discount at the feed merchant by claming to be a trotting trainer or a show jumper.Some one has got this terribly wrong.It needs immediate attention.A reduction at the top end will see the scheme gain two things---CREDIBILITY and LONGEVITY...Denis.