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Cluden Park
Racing Queensland’s Investment Growth Plan Receives Acceleration Boost

Racing Queensland’s Investment Growth Plan Receives Acceleration Boost

23rd November 2021 | By Cluden Park

An increase in racing prize money has been guaranteed to Cluden Park thanks to a change in funding from the Palaszczuk Government.

This week, the Palaszczuk Government announced changes to return 35% of the Point of Consumption tax back to Queensland’s racing industry, beginning 1 January 2022.

This has resulted in a total increase of $5.5 million in prize money across the racing industry, including thoroughbreds, greyhounds, and harness racing.

Cluden Park’s races will receive upwards of $1.5k-$2k increases in prize money per race.

Cluden Park’s committee chairman, Malcolm Petrofski, has high praise for the decision. 

“The announcement today around increased prize money is a good result for racing in Queensland,” said Petrofski. 

“The decision to give all in the industry a chance to benefit, by not allocating prize money increases to just one or two feature races, is a sound one."

The government’s decision compliments Racing Queensland’s recent provision of $150,000 to the local horse racing and event hire facility to upgrade their track lighting system.

The funding comes as a result of Racing Queensland’s recent facilities audit process. 

It is expected that the new LED lighting will reduce Cluden Park’s carbon footprint and provide improved safety for industry participants, primarily the horses, trainers, and jockeys who make use of the track in the dark hours of the morning.

The upgrade has local jockey, Frank Edwards, in high spirits. 

“The new lighting is absolutely fantastic for the work we do on the track,” admitted Edwards.

“The bright LEDs afford a better view of proceedings, which is important when you can have up to ten horses at a time working on the track.

“Horses will be coming on and off during this time, and it’s great to now have this increased vision of the track ahead.”

The continued support of the industry from both government and governing bodies is a positive sign for the more than 12,500 Queenslanders employed in racing.