State bonus schemes put to the test

Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

Consulting with the various state authorities, TDN AusNZ has navigated the detail and present a series of test cases to find out which state offers the best bonuses to owners and breeders in practice.

In each case, not included are the exceptional circumstances, such as a horse winning either of the two VOBIS Sires' races whose prizemoney totals $1.5 million.

The scenarios have been designed to test the schemes against a variety of performances. They account for a range of abilities, but are kept realistic; the highest-performing two horses win a Metropolitan handicap each and place at Listed level. In each scenario, the given horse wins two races throughout the season.

By the nature of competitive racing in Australia, two wins might be considered an excellent season for most horses, but some bonus scheme payments are reserved only for winners, so including two wins gives a fairer comparison of the schemes.

Because of the complexities of, and differences between, each bonus scheme, there are also plenty of caveats associated with each scenario – too many to list. Suffice to say, as each point of difference has been negotiated, a fair comparison of the schemes has been kept in mind.

In terms of returns to breeders, the Racing NSW BOBS scheme has currently suspended the mare bonus payments pending review, so cannot be considered by any assessment.

What becomes clear when putting the schemes to the test is that Racing Victoria lead the way. Not only do they perform consistently well with their usual Super VOBIS and VOBIS Gold bonuses, but the chance also to win $30,000 VOBIS Sires Boost vouchers with each qualifying win set them apart from the other states.

Note: For the full summary of each horse’s season, see the appendix below.

Scenario 1: The early type

Profile: 2-year-old gelding, sired in that state by a nominated stallion

Form: Two Country wins

This scenario imagines an early 2-year-old type that the owners have gelded before commencing with racing. He wins two races early in the season and then struggles for form after that. Following his second win, connections step him up from Country to Provincial racing, but he finishes just shy of the placings.

Returns to owners:

The clear winner in scenario one is the owner in Victoria, who would amass over $33,000 in bonuses over the season.

Not only that, but thanks to Racing Victoria’s new VOBIS Sires Boost vouchers, the owners will receive an extra $30,000 per win (a total of $60,000 in this case) to spend on eligibly progeny at sales, with an eligible syndicator or on a service fee to a VOBIS Sires' Stallion.

Returns to breeders:

Ignoring the vouchers, the Tasmanian owner does nearly as well, taking home $32,000 in bonuses for the season. Plus, the breeder of that horse would do best compared to the other states, earning $8000.

Table: Bonuses accumulated in Scenario 1

Scenario 2: The classy 2-year-old

Profile: 2-year-old colt, sired out of state but the dam was bred to a state-based stallion (breedback) the following season

Form: Two Metropolitan wins, placed in a Listed race and two Group races

Envisioning a smart type, whom the owners have spent a fair sum on, this colt develops well with racing, breaking his maiden on his fourth start. He then places third in a Listed race and, following his second win, he places in two Group races to finish his season.

Returns to owners:

Again, the Victorian owners comes out on top, with over $50,000 in bonuses (although the VOBIS Sires Boost vouchers don't apply as the horse was sired out of state), compared to the next highest, the Queensland owner who earns $39,000.

Criteria of the Racing NSW BOBS scheme would render this horse ineigible due to not being sired by a BOBS-nominated stallion.

Returns to breeder:

Owing to a high level of support for breeders of stakes-performing horses, the Victorian breeder also does well, netting $13,130. Just ahead though, not just in this case but top amongst all the scenarios, is the South Australian breeder who takes home $14,150. This is due to the high level of reward offered to the breeder of horses which win Racing Rewards SA Plus Bonus races, which add $2200 to the breeder’s take home for each win.

Table: Bonuses accumulated in Scenario 2

Scenario 3: A solid 3-year-old gelding

Profile: 3-year-old gelding sired out of state, but more than 50% owned in state

Form: Two Country wins

Country trained, this gelding improves through the season to win two on the bounce in the Country before he takes a try at Provincial level, finishing third.

Returns to owners:

His two wins at Country level and third in a Provincial handicap net his owners over $36,000 in Victoria, ahead of the Tasmanian owner on $32,000. This reflects Racing Victoria’s strong level of support for Country race wins that carry the VOBIS Gold bonuses, with each VOBIS Gold win netting the owners $10,115 after the percentage payouts for trainer and jockey (10 and five per cent respectively) have been accounted for.

Criteria of the Racing NSW BOBS scheme would render this horse ineigible due to not being sired by a BOBS-nominated stallion.

Returns to breeders:

Tasmanian breeders are given a great level of regular support under the TASBRED scheme, which offers a $4000 bonus to breeders for each win. As such, they come out on top in this scenario, where the other states are, for breeders, less rewarding of lower-level wins.

Table: Bonuses accumulated in Scenario 3

Scenario 4: Classic filly

Profile: 3-year-old filly, bred in that state by a nominated stallion

Form: One Provincial win, one Metropolitan win and two Listed placings

This high-class 3-year-old filly gains her maiden win in Provincial company on her third start, progressing to Metropolitan races after that in a bid to add black type to her resume. She places second and third in Listed races, winning a Saturday Metropolitan handicap in between.

Returns to owners:

Queensland do well in this scenario, earning nearly $58,000, partly because all QTIS Bonuses are increased by 50 per cent for fillies. Victorian owners take home just over $50,000 and again earn $60,000 in VOBIS Sires Boost vouchers.

However, it is Western Australian owners who come out on top for cash bonuses, taking home just over $60,000 under the Westspeed Platinum scheme. This is because qualifying races in that state worth between $50,000 and $125,000 carry a $30,030 owner’s bonus (after trainer and jockey deductions).

Returns to breeders:

The Western Australian breeder in this scenario also does well, earning over $9000 with an added $2000 in Magic Millions Perth sales credit. With a Super VOBIS Bonus on Metropolitan races worth $4900 to the breeder, Victoria leads the way, with breeders there earning nearly $12,000.

Table: Bonuses accumulated in Scenario 4

Scenario 5: The older stayer

Profile: 4-year-old gelding, bred in that state by a nominated stallion

Form: Two Country wins at 1800 metres and beyond, 2nd at Provincial level over 1800 metres

Last but not least is the 4-year-old, staying gelding. Campaigned at the lower level over a distance, he wins a maiden over 1800 metres and a handicap at Country level over 2000 metre. When stepped up to Provincial level he performs well but is just denied a win, finishing second.

And it’s Victorians who do well again with their strong support for Country racing earning owners over $38,000 plus the $60,000 in VOBIS Sires Boost vouchers. Western Australian owners also do well comparatively, taking home over $28,000.

In NSW, owners are rewarded for staying 4-year-olds via the BOBS Extra part of their scheme, though the option to take Double Up vouchers is limited to the 2 and 3-year-old bonuses only.

It’s Tasmania who look after their breeders best in this situation, with $4000 paid to them for each win.

Table: Bonuses accumulated in Scenario 5

Appendix

Table: Seasonal summary for Scenario 1

Table: Seasonal summary for Scenario 2

Table: Seasonal summary for Scenario 3

Table: Seasonal summary for Scenario 4

Table: Seasonal summary for Scenario 5