Photo by Walter Bulyga
THE tide continues to turn for South Australian harness racing.
The latest boost came with a significant hike in turnover on last Saturday night’s Globe Derby meeting at a time when turnover in all three racing codes is struggling.
Driven by the South Australian Harness Racing Club’s commitment to increased prize money, which has led to bigger fields and more competitive racing, last Saturday’s card saw a year-on-year turnover growth of five per cent.
The SAHRC has boosted prize money by $2000 per race for four races on each Saturday meeting and has also introduced monthly feature races with purses of $15,000 to $25,000 with an aim to attract better quality horses and bigger fields.
The momentum is set to get another huge boost with the club programming a $200,000 slot race for two-year-old pacers later this season.
“It’s been terrific to be able to put prize money and we’re seeing the direct results from doing so,” SAHRC president Anne Mowday said.
Excitingly, the club’s development of land surrounding Globe Derby is also proving to be a winner, with the blocks selected selling quickly and for record prices in the area.
“The development is exciting and vital for our future,” Mowday said. “The sales so far are incredible results and we’ve still got our best blocks retained for future sale and/or development by the club.
“The way it’s shaping, our estimated profit from the project is going to exceed all our expectations.”
