In response to VRC CEO Dale Monteith’s recent media release and comments on proposed VRC prizemoney decreases, Victorian Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners' Association (TROA) Chairman Jonathan Munz responded as follows:
“Dale Monteith has tried to deflect the simple truth which is that the VRC has advised Racing Victoria that it wishes to reduce prizemoney in 30 Group and Listed Races by around $1 Million next season.”
“Dale tried to say that overall Flemington prizemoney is going up next season but this is actually a bit misleading and doesn’t address the real issue. Yes, minimum prizemoney for ordinary races is going up, but only because Racing Victoria is giving the VRC extra funds for that purpose with stipulations that those prizemoney levels must increase. The money is just a flow through. The prizemoney that the VRC directly controls and tops up is decreasing from last year by $1 Million and the spin that Dale has put on this is more appropriate for a Federal Politician than the CEO of the VRC.”
“Obviously, I acknowledge that the VRC is starting from a higher base for Group and Listed Races, but so they should, given that they have the best franchise in racing. Unfortunately, the VRC has not properly controlled its overheads and now that times are tougher is trying to cut prizemoney rather than making the hard decisions and applying itself properly to get the necessary savings elsewhere in areas that will avoid adversely affecting the Industry.”
