Canberra may be Australia’s capital, but its thoroughbred racing industry risks becoming a national backwater, if not wiped out completely, as the Australian Capital Territory’s Greens Party pushes push the withdrawal of government funding for the sport.
The ACT government has submitted another five-year agreement, signing a Memorand of Understanding with the Canberra Racing Club to ensure racing continues at Thoroughbred Park after the previous agreement expires on 30 May. 6.
The memorandum of understanding, worth A$40 million for the duration of the agreement, also supports the Canberra Harness Racing Club until June 2027. Greyhound racing in the ACT was banned by the government in 2018. .
Mark Parton, a Liberal member on the ACT Legislative Assembly for Brindabella, is a former race caller, racehorse owner and broadcaster who entered politics in 2016.
He’s been fighting for the local racing industry — home of the 2-year-old Black Opal Stakes (G3) fall featured race — campaigning on the sport’s behalf on behalf of parliament to make sure it’s going. future-proof after the expiration of the new Memorandum of Understanding.
“Look, (racing in Canberra) there are some serious challenges, but most of those challenges are based on the political landscape here,” Parton said.
“In every other jurisdiction in Australia, sure, the Greens have a presence, but they can function as a radical peripheral party, but here in the ACT they have a seat at the table sharing rights. They have three Cabinets, members of the National Assembly here.
“It means those radical ideas are actually having a real impact, which is a big concern, because it led to a ban on greyhound racing in the ACT and, even though the Greens made it clear that they don’t want to ban thoroughbreds or belt racers, obviously they want to finish both purebred and harness racing in the ACT, and that’s not like being in Australia for me.”
The Greens have lobbied to benefit government funding for local industry.
“There’s a much better way to use that public funding,” ACT Greens spokesperson for animal welfare Jo Clay said in June.
“It doesn’t go through a public procurement; it doesn’t go through a funding process.
“We have a lot of big problems right now; we’re dealing with climate change, COVID-19, and homelessness, and I don’t think that’s the right use of A$40 million. wage.”
The racing industry in Canberra has had to fight for survival, with trainers in the Territory plagued by obscene premiums and uncertainty from the government.
Coaches Luke Pepper (Scone), Joe Ible (Kembla Grange) and Doug Gorrel (Wagga) have all moved their cages from Canberra to New South Wales in the past 12 months.
Parton admits insurance impersonation for coaches – and all ACT businesses – is “a big deal”.
“It’s going to require a complicated solution,” he said. “I’m an optimist and I believe we can win power by 2024 and that, from government after that point, we can. towards finding some sort of solution to the whole game. Because financially, it’s very difficult to run an operation in the ACT.”
The prize money for the Canberra Thoroughbred race meetings is sponsored by the club and not by Racing NSW, but competition for Australia’s largest racing state means the club needs to catch up with the rising prize money. up to encourage owners and trainers to import their horses for the Canberra race meetings.
“Canberra is a great place to live, apart from a few other aspects, and those are the main aspects, it’s a pretty great place to train racehorses,” says Parton.
