Racing NSW's prizemoney increases for feature country meetings

Racing NSW made the announcement at midday on Tuesday which will see an increase to prizemoney of $48 million, or 145 per cent, since 2012.

There will now be eight feature Country Cup races with prizemoney of $200,000 at the following racecourses: Port Macquarie, Goulburn, Albury, Wellington, Tamworth, Wagga Wagga, Scone and Grafton.

The largest increase was for the Coffs Harbour Cup, which is held in August, which jumped by $70,000, from $80,000 to $150,000.

This was followed by the Country Magic held in October at the Coonamble and Coonabarabran Cup. This jumped by $56,000, from $44,000 to $100,000.

A number of carnivals received a $50,000 increase in prizemoney, including the: Port Macquarie Cup; Goulburn Cup; Muswellbrook Cup; Wellington Boot; Tamworth Cup and Wagga Wagga Town Plate.

Racing NSW will also provide marketing and promotional support to these country race clubs.

These events are also supported by Destination NSW to ensure tourism is brought into the local region. The event will get the local community to get together to celebrate everything great about their town.

Racing NSW chair Russell Balding said a key strategic priority for country racing was to continue to stage great carnivals and Cup Race meetings and to ensure that thoroughbred racing was widely celebrated and enjoyed throughout all of NSW, not just Sydney and the Provincials.

"Thoroughbred racing, dressing up, heading to the races and having a bet is part of what we do," he said.

"The prizemoney increases for these meetings, along with the marketing and promotion of the carnivals themselves, particularly to the younger demographic, will lift NSW Country Racing to a whole new level.

"In addition, the promotion, through Destination NSW of the particular regional attractions and experiences leading up to and during the actual Country Racing Carnival, will be another reason for people to visit regional NSW and make Country Racing part of their short stay or holiday whilst in the region."

Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation Kevin Anderson said the increase in prizemoney was not only good for racing, but has great flow on effects for regional communities.

"It's no secret that our regional communities are doing it tough, especially given this unprecedented drought, so investing in racedays can help drive tourism and increase bed nights which is crucial to our local economies," he said.

"Racing is more than just an event in regional communities, it's part of the culture, which is why we want to continue to make racing as enjoyable and accessible as possible."