MEDIA RELEASE

                     Wednesday 4th JUNE, 2008                        
   
 

 2008/2009 PRIZE MONEY INCREASES  

Further to the recent announcement of an increase of $500,000 to the GRSA prizemoney budget for 2008/09. Following is more detail on the breakdown of the increases.  

Angle Park  

Angle Park will receive an increase of 15.01% overall on the 2007/08 figure. These will be across all meetings, with the highest percentage increase being to the Thursday night meetings. Feature race funding will also be increased for the majority of these events. A monthly heat & final series in the lower grades will also continue with the Final each month increased to a minimum of $3,000. It will be rotated between the grades and will also include races over the longer distances.  

Travel Rebates on Monday & Thursday nights have also be re-introduced for 2008/09. A rebate of $10 will be paid to a trainer with 1-4 greyhounds engaged; while a trainer with 5 or more greyhounds entered will receive a $20 payment. This will be paid out as cash on the night as was previously the case.  

The total Angle Park prize money budget is $2,380,796, up from $2,070,000. The new prize money levels for Angle Park are:  

Angle Park Monday (APK):

            Juv/Maid/Grad            $950
            Grade 5                       $1050
            Grade 4                       $1100
            Grade 3                       $1200
            Grade 2                       $1250
            Open/Grade 1             $1300
            Non-Penalty                $750  

Angle Park Tuesday ( APD ):

Juvenile/Maidens     $675
            Graduation                 $700
            Grade 5                       $800
            Grade 4                       $800
            Grade 3                       $850
            Grade 2                       $900
           Open/Grade 1             $950  

Angle Park Wednesday ( APD ):

            All Races                     $600  

Angle Park Thursday (APK):           

            Graduation                  $1450
            Grade 5                       $1800
            Grade 4                       $1850
            Grade 3                       $2000
            Grade 2                       $2100
            Open/Grade 1             $2575
            Non-Penalty                $950  

Gawler  

Gawler has received the largest percentage increase, up 21.7% on 07/08. This is in line with the Strategic Plan, which identifies a need to increase the Tuesday prize money. Tuesday turnover has grown strongly and now is on average the second highest day of the week for SA greyhounds. Normal races have been increased as have features, with the Bunyip Gawler Gold Cup increased to $25,000.  

The Gawler total prize money budget is $467,400, up from $384,000 in 07/08. The new Gawler prize money levels will be:  

Tuesday/Monday                                        

Maiden/Juvenile         $675    
Graduation                  $700    
Grade 5/4                     $800    
Grade 3                        $850 
Grade 2                        $900 
Open                            $950  

Sunday - Sky                             

            Juv/Maid/Grad           $600
           Grade 4/5                     $650 
           Others/Open               $700  

Country  

Country prize money will also receive a significant boost, up an average of 11.38%, to a total of $541,310 ($486,000 in 07/08). Barmera has been granted two extra meetings, while the Whyalla Club has been offered 2 funded race meetings to be run at Port Augusta. Final prize money breakdowns are currently being finalised with each of the clubs and will published shortly.  

SA Bred  

The other area that will receive an increase is the SA Bred Bonuses. Three areas will receive increases. Firstly the Angle Park (APK) bonus that is currently paid will receive a $12,000 increase for the year. The monthly pool will return to $6,000.  

Secondly all SA Breds will receive a $100 bonus for their Maiden win. Currently this is paid at $100 in the City/Provincial and $50 in the country. This is expected to add around $8,000 to the SA Bred Bonus pool.  

Thirdly a Gawler SA Bred bonus will be introduced, to be paid under the same conditions as the Angle Park Bonus.  A total of $30,000 will be paid out for the Gawler bonus, meaning that the monthly pool will be $2,500.  

In all the SA Bred Bonus pool is expected to pay out $126,000 (depending on the number of Maiden wins). Add this to the two SA Bred Futurity Series to be run in 2008/09 and it means around $1/4 Million will be directed towards SA Bred.                                  

Further Information:

Peter Smith    (08) 8243 7100
Operations Manager
Greyhound Racing SA