Racing SA is on target to payout a record amount in bonuses during season 2022/23.
Racing SA had budgeted to payout $2.3M in bonuses however with over 50% of this allocation spent in the first six months, the decision has been made to remove the $2.3M cap. This means that Racing Rewards SA eligible horses will share in the scheme for the remainder of the season.
Chair of Racing SA Rob Rorrison said with so many positive results coming out of the Racing Rewards SA scheme it was an easy decision to make.
“The Racing Rewards bonuses are a clear incentive for South Australian trainers and owners, and are helping to ensure that field sizes remain at the current high level,” said Mr Rorrison.
“The bonus scheme also gives trainers and owners confidence knowing that they can purchase at the Magic Millions sales and reinvest in the industry with the bonuses available to them,” he said.
Since launching in 2020, the Racing Rewards scheme has gone from strength to strength.
At Metropolitan level over the past three months, 27% of Racing Rewards prizemoney has been distributed to SA sired horses, and 70% of Racing Rewards prizemoney distributed to SA bred horses, highlighting the strength of the local industry.
This coupled with the increase in eligible horses contesting Racing Rewards races, particularly at Metropolitan level has seen 67% of runners in Racing Rewards races being eligible, compared to 40% in January 2022.
Racing SA changed the eligibility criteria 2020, opening the scheme to Category 4 Yearlings – horses which have been purchased by South Australian owners to race in South Australia.
"The introduction of Category 4 horses into the program has ensured that there is a larger pool of Racing Rewards eligible horses, helping with stronger field sizes at both the two-year-old and the three-year-old level," Rorrison said.