NZ: Stakes raised for greyhounds

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From www.wanganuichronicle.co.nz

Stakes raised for greyhounds

Peter Fenemor | Friday, August 31, 2012 7:18

GREYHOUND Racing NZ has announced across the board stakes increases, which
will apply from October 1.

Increased funding will also be provided to the popular and successful GRNZ
greyhound welfare initiative, the Greyhound Adoption Programme (GAP).

"While final profit figures for the 2011-12 season had not yet been
confirmed by the NZ Racing Board, the GRNZ Board had decided that the
guideline figures provided were substantive enough to proceed with a revised
funding policy without further delay," said GRNZ general manager Jim Leach.

"The 2012-13 season budget has focused on increased expenditure in two key
areas, greyhound welfare and stakes. In accordance with GRNZ policy in
recent years expenses have been either kept at the 2010-11 baseline or in
some cases been reduced. There will be a modest increase in investment made
in the GRNZ business plan, in particular investigating potential export
sales opportunities and streamlining overall operations.

"In conjunction with GAP there will be a renewed focus on animal welfare and
the re-homing of retired racing dogs. There are also some exciting plans
afoot to expand GAP's footprint over the next 12 months, with increased
kenneling capacity in both the North and South Islands," added Leach.

"The GRNZ Board recognises that stake money has not increased for several
seasons and in the 2009-10 season were in fact reduced by five per cent
because of falling turnovers and declining NZRB profit. The GRNZ Board has
recognised that many industry participants have been struggling for some
time now with increased costs and no prize money increases to keep pace with
inflation," said Leach.

Given the current economic climate in New Zealand this news will come with
great relief to industry participants. From October 1 the following
increases take effect which applies across all racing grades: Sprints (up to
399m) 10 per cent; middle distance and staying races (400m plus) 15 per
cent; group and feature races 5 per cent.