SYDNEY trainers are threatening strike action after learning of Australian Turf Club plans to increase their stable rent bills and introduce key performance indicators that demand minimum success levels.

RAY THOMAS reports in the DAILY TELEGRAPH that NSW Trainers' Association chief executive Steve McMahon said he was inundated with call from trainers yesterday morning after learning stable rent bills at Royal Randwick, Rosehill and Warwick Farm will increase by up to 25 per cent.

"Trainers were talking about protests and strikes, they are very angry," McMahon said.

"We'd like to avoid that but we need Racing NSW to come to the party and reduce costs for all, not just increase prize money for those lucky enough to win."

Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'landys only announced on Thursday a prizemoney injection of $1.5 million for Sydney racing next season and he was disappointed to learn that trainers were considering strike action.

 

But V'landys vowed to assist city trainers to "reach a mutually satisfactory arrangement with the ATC" and avoid any industrial action.

"Racing NSW believe the fairest way to provide returns to owners and industry is through increasing prizemoney and providing prizemoney payments down to 10th place," V'landys said.

"This fairly rewards those who get horses to the track to compete in NSW races where the industry can generate a return from the wagering dollars invested on them.

"Subsidizing costs is not currently supported by Racing NSW as it can lead to inefficiencies and worse, can inadvertently reward those not contributing to NSW racing.

"For example it is not appropriate that the NSW industry further subsidize racing and training facilities that are used to educate horses for sale or export to Asian markets and who do not start in NSW races."

Sydney trainers are angered by ATC moves to increase stable fees and by new requirements to have a certain number of runners at city meetings and to prepare their share of winners.

Those trainers that do not meet ATC's minimum requirements may be asked to move their stable bases to provincial or country racetracks.

ATC chief executive Darren Pearce said the club's key performance index would be achievable for the majority of Sydney trainers but this hasn't lightened the mood of most trainers.

McMahon said the rising costs of training racehorses will have a serious impact on the sport.

"Trainers will pass costs onto owners, owners will start to drop out, field sizes will drop and punters will miss out, too," he said. "It's a vicious circle."

McMahon said the NSW Trainers Association is now embarking on a campaign to reduce the costs of racing a horse.

"It doesn't matter if you're in the City, Provincials or the Country, it costs the same to feed a horse and pay the vet bills," McMahon said.

"The NSWTA believe Racing NSW needs to do more to cut the costs of owning a race horse. Yes, prize money increases are nice but they only benefit those who win or place.

"So, when prize money goes up only a few benefit. When costs go down, everyone benefits."

 

STORY SOURCE: SYDNEY TELEGRAPH - NEWS LIMITED.