Written by Trent Masenhelder
Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Legendary broadcaster and passionate racing fan, Bruce McAvaney, has met with the South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, requesting greater funding for the racing industry ahead of the state’s budget. McAvaney said he’d had discussions with the Premier and treasurer Stephen Mulligan about the future of racing in the state, hoping there could be a rise in the Point Of Consumption (POC) Tax funding for the industry when the budget is handed down on June 14.
He believes racing in SA has fallen behind other states and said racing got a bad deal in 2017 when the POC Tax was first introduced, at 15 per cent for corporate bookmakers, but only 10 per cent of that revenue went back to the racing industry.
These talks come in the wake of criticism about the state of racing in the City of Churches, with McAvaney and Racing.com presenter Terry McAuliffe just two to voice concerns about issues such as recent crowd figures, the calibre of the Group 1 fields and the timing of the carnival.
Bruce McAvaney | Image courtesy of Bruce McAvaney
McAvaney doesn’t believe the Group 1s should be moved, but said a restructure could occur where they’re held on a Sunday instead of Saturday.
McAvaney - a proud South Australian and host of Channel 7’s racing coverage - admitted the state has done a great job in attracting a number of top-class sporting events in 2023, including rugby league’s State Of Origin series opener, as well as the LIV Golf tournament. He hopes racing, too, is at the forefront of decision-makers.
“One of the things I’ve talked to the Premier about is that a lot of your philosophy is on taking a chance; taking on the eastern states such as trying to get the Boxing Day Test held here, getting the State Of Origin here. Why not horse racing?” McAvaney said when speaking on radio station RSN927 on Thursday morning.
“One of the things I’ve talked to the Premier about is that a lot of your philosophy is on taking a chance; taking on the eastern states such as trying to get the Boxing Day Test held here, getting the State Of Origin here. Why not horse racing?” - Bruce McAvaney
McAvaney revealed he referenced SA’s halcyon days - between the early 1960s and late 70s - where their horses won nine Caulfield Cups, five Cox Plates, 11 Melbourne Cups and five Golden Slippers - in his discussions with the state’s powerbrokers.
“I grew up in an era where racing was important,” he commented.
McAvaney also hopes and believes Victoria Park could be reopened as a summer racing venue with a series of boutique race days. That venue was abandoned by the South Australian Jockey Club (SAJC) because the facilities needed significant upgrades, with the last race conducted there in December 2007.
Victoria Park grandstand | Image courtesy of Experience Adelaide
“I know the Premier would love to see racing back at Victoria Park. I envisage races from 1000 metres up to 1400 metres with only five races held with great food and maybe a band playing from 6:30pm to 8:30pm,” McAvaney remarked.
This is not too dissimilar to the ‘garden party’ events held at Chantilly in France, which have attracted huge crowds and been a racing success.
McAvaney would like to see a four-week period in spring with race series being held with prizemoney on offer from $150,000 to $300,000.
“They don’t have to be Group races, but it would create some excitement. We’ve got to create excitement and optimism. The spring is the best time of the year to go to the races,” McAvaney said.
“We’ve got to create excitement and optimism. The spring is the best time of the year to go to the races.” - Bruce McAvaney
McAvaney also believes the Adelaide Cup should be moved to the spring and become a ‘win-and-you’re-in’ race for the Melbourne Cup.
An alternate view
Meanwhile, another South Australian journalist, News Corp’s Tom Biddington, has written that he doesn’t believe the status of racing in his home state is as dire as some suggest.
“The negativity following the recent Adelaide carnival has spiralled out of control with broad emotive statements and lazy critiques being treated as gospel, when it's simply not the case,” he wrote on Racenet.
“The crowds at Morphettville were dreadful over the four Group 1 meetings and the industry, which receives the least funding of any state, needs more support from the SA government.
“Those two things are indisputable and have to be addressed.
“But a complete overhaul of the carnival is not necessary.
“Owning a horse in South Australia is far more affordable than anywhere else on the eastern seaboard and as a result, the horse population has grown by almost 300 (13.4 per cent) in the last two years – and that’s even with Tony and Calvin McEvoy leaving.
“For all the talk about prizemoney levels, there are plenty of trainers and jockeys making a good living in SA. It is not all doom and gloom.”
