After proppping up NSW and Qld, Victoria misses out on funds

VICTORIAN Racing Minister Rob Hulls will try to recoup funds lost by the impact of equine influenza to help Victoria boost prizemoney.
Hulls will write to Federal Agriculture Minister Tony Burke in a bid for an estimated $15 million to $25 million in compensation.
The minister, who raised the issue at the recent Australasian Racing Ministers' conference in Sydney, wants Victoria to be compensated for propping up Queensland and NSW while their racing was at a standstill for almost four months.
NSW and Queensland have shared $114 million in federal compensation, but Victoria has received nothing.
The discrepancy hit home this week when NSW lifted prizemoney for provincial and country races, using funds not distributed in prizemoney while racing was locked down.
In that same period, they received their share of TabCorp distributions on Victorian racing while Victoria reaped nothing from their standstill.
"Victoria's efforts in keeping EI out of this state have benefited the whole country by ensuring racing continued through the Spring Racing Carnival, providing a viable racing product for the rest of Australia," Hulls said.
"This has come at an estimated cost of $15 million to the Victorian industry, but not one cent has come from the Federal Government in support."
NSW Racing Minister Graham West has supported Hulls in his quest for compensation.
West said Victoria continued to incur costs despite a reduction in revenue, which was why "I believe the Federal Government should be providing them with some assistance".
As a result of NSW building its cash reserves during EI because it has not been paying prizemoney, the industry there announced this week that minimum prizemoney for country racing would increase next year by $2000 to Victoria's level of $9000 -- at an annual cost of $4.3 million.
Minimum provincial prizemoney will increase by $2000 a race by July.
Racing NSW is spending $15 million in extra prizemoney over the next two years -- the same amount Victorian racing lost on staging the Spring Carnival because of EI.
Perhaps Victorian Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners' Association chairman David Moodie should consider that.
Moodie deserves commendation for being instrumental in initiating the reform of Racing Victoria Limited, but his constant gripes about low levels of prizemoney have been less widely appreciated.
When the Melbourne Racing Club added $395,000 to Saturday and feature race prizemoney this week, Moodie slammed the move, declaring it ignored grass roots and midweek racing.
"The prizemoney increases are inadequate and they have got it wrong," he said.
"It's very frustrating.
"The NSW increases are a slap in the face to RVL and all its clubs and the best wake-up call of all time."