The Victorian Harness Racing Club (VHRC) are very excited to announce in partnership with Australian Pacing Gold (APG) and Australian Premier Trotting Sale (APTS) a new race series commencing September 2020.

This race series will offer up to $900,000 in financial benefits and will be shared between owners and trainers that are members of the VHRC for 2020/21 racing season.

This new initiative to be promoted as the ‘VHRC–APG–APTS Super Bonus race series’ will consist of 26 dedicated race meetings with the majority being held across regional Victoria. 

Every race on the program will provide bonuses above the advertised prizemoney consisting of $1500 cash payments and $1000 APG-APTS Sales Vouchers to the owners of the winning paid up horse and $500 to the winning trainer provided they are members of the VHRC.  A further added incentive for the winning owners that purchase a yearling at the APG-APTS sales will be that they receive a $500 discount on sustaining payments made in full on the day. 

VHRC President Emmy Mazzetti said: “The VHRC has emerged itself not only here in Victoria but throughout Australia as the largest membership organisation representing owners in the harness racing industry. We have been working very closely with HRV CEO Dayle Brown and his executive team in developing a strategic plan to assist owners and participants with their future investments into this wonderful industry." 

VHRC General Manager Rob Auber said: “The VHRC are committed to supporting HRV and the Victorian Government in stimulating the Victorian harness racing economy. This joint partnership is to provide confidence and support to our industry participants to continue investing into this great sport. We are very grateful to APG-APTS for supporting this initiative to grow our industry and I’m sure these additional bonuses will be welcomed by all owners and trainers. 

"We wish to thank the regional clubs that are supporting this race series and we encourage all trainers and owners to support each club with their horse nominations and attendance at each of these race meetings once the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.  

"We make a passionate plea to anyone that loves harness racing to become a member of the VHRC ‘The Heart of Harness Racing' for the 2020/21 racing season. The strength of our future success is dependent on your membership support.”

APG–APTS Deputy Chairman Peter Watkinson said: “The VHRC has some exciting plans that will make it an irresistible proposition for owners to join. The APG-APTS partnership with the VHRC is a perfect fit, and I’m confident that the partnership will help to continue the strong growth of the VHRC’s membership base, whilst providing APG-APTS with outstanding brand exposure and marketing opportunities."

APG -APTS David Boydell General Manager said: “This ground-breaking partnership will provide a strong link between APG-APTS and VHRC’s rapidly expanding membership base. In particular, the 260 vouchers that APG-APTS will offer to the eligible winners of the ‘bonus races’ in 2020/21. This will create an army of potential buyers - each winner with $1000 vouchers and a $500 discount benefit that are exclusively redeemable at the 2021 APG and APTS Yearling Sales.”

Further details regarding the VHRC-APG-APTS Super Bonus Series will be outlined in coming months.

For any initial enquires please contact the VHRC Membership Manager Kelly Ternouth on 0408 570 197 or email vhrsc@vhrsc.com.au