Harness racing participants, club officials and contractors will be provided food and drink vouchers to use at tracks across Victoria through the back half of September and until the end of October.
Starting next Monday, the joint initiative from Harness Racing Victoria (HRV), Trots Clubs Victoria (TCV), the Victorian Harness Racing Club (VHRC) and the Victorian Trainers and Drivers Association (VTDA) will see each eligible person allocated $10 per race meeting.
Trots Clubs Victoria CEO Carl Coady said the vouchers would help supply a good, hearty meal for all participants and workers attending the races while ensuring clubs were not carrying the burden of the cost.
“It has been observed that participants are still leaving the track during a race meet to source food and drink, which is contrary to current restrictions placed on race meeting operations,” he said.
“In an effort to address this, a $10 meal voucher will be made available to every participant who attends the race meet.
“Clubs are encouraged to be creative with their menu, including providing healthier options. Items on the menu can be priced above the $10, with participants able to pay the additional cost.”
There is a minimum expectation that clubs will provide catering through its own members or use an approved external caterer, while following all the HRV guidelines on food preparation and service already in place.
Clubs will be required to retain the vouchers once redeemed and forward to HRV as part of the reimbursement process. Each club will have the ability to claim up to $800 per meeting, but will be responsible for any costs above that amount.
