HARNESS RACING VICTORIA, 400 Epsom Rd, Flemington, 03 8378 0200, askhrv@hrv.org.au
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Moonee Valley
On October 28, The Age published a report advising of talks between Harness Racing Victoria, Moonee Valley Racing Club, and the State Government regarding the potential return of the trots to the Valley.
Any talks are in their earliest stages, and HRV, like the Moonee Valley club and Government, is carefully examining opportunities before commenting broadly.
However, I appreciate the great interest and excitement of this prospect, especially given harness racing’s rich history at the Valley.
HRV is evaluating its options and conducting the appropriate due diligence. If proceedings advance, we look forward to involving the broader industry in the new year.
Harness racing in Victoria representatives
Over the past 18 months we’ve shared that harness racing in Victoria, like all racing codes, is facing financial challenges, and it has been great to see the industry’s passionate response, including in stakeholder-run forums across the state.
With new HRV Chair Bernard Saundry, I look forward to working with participants and representative bodies to ensure the industry benefits from new ideas and initiatives.
With that in mind, I urge those who would like to be a part of change to consider nominating for a seat on the Harness Racing Advisory Council, which is an important industry voice to HRV’s Board. More details, including a link to the nomination form, are below.
Wagering performance
The wagering market remains challenging, but harness racing in Victoria can be proud of its ability to hold its ground.
While our total turnover is down, partly due to running fewer unprofitable races, our average race turnover has outperformed other codes and harness racing jurisdictions.
The racing department has focused on running more races with fuller fields in the best time slots and, more consistently, at the most popular tracks, which has been well-received by punters. There are green shoots, but as the below racing and wagering snapshot shows, there are also numerous headwinds.
Strategic outlook
With its stakeholders and partners, HRV will consider future initiatives to benefit the sport on its pathway to sustainability. These include:
- Working with the Government and Victoria’s racing codes to ensure a fair distribution of returns from wagering licenses and point of consumption tax to ensure the sport’s viability
- A review of the race fields fee model to analyse the impacts of a more significant turnover or revenue approach
- Targeting more operational savings associated with putting on the racing product, including in broadcast
- Development of the Melton masterplan to ensure the precinct best serves the industry, including considering potential Moonee Valley opportunities
- With the State Government, give consideration to and conduct preliminary planning for a harness racing tracing facility west of Melton
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Minister appoints Bernard Saundry to Harness Racing Victoria Chair
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Experienced racing administrator Bernard Saundry has been appointed Chair of Harness Racing Victoria.
Saundry, who was chief executive officer of HRV for eight years from 1993, was appointed by the Minister for Racing Anthony Carbines, bringing vast racing and media experience to the role.
“Bernard Saundry is regarded as one of Australia’s most experienced and successful racing administrators and possesses a unique understanding of the industry,” Mr Carbines said.
Since his extensive work at Harness Racing Victoria until 2001, Saundry has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Western Bulldogs, Racing Victoria, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and RSN 927.
“I have extremely fond memories of my time at Harness Racing Victoria and look forward to renewing that deep engagement with the sport, which I have continued to follow closely,” Saundry said.
“Harness racing in Victoria has a deeply loyal, passionate base, and I look forward to working with all in the sport, including my fellow Board members and HRV staff, to take on the many challenges and help it prosper.”
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Nominations open for seats on the Harness Racing Advisory Council
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Those with a passion for harness racing in Victoria are urged to nominate for an independent seat on the Harness Racing Advisory Council.
The council was established under the Racing Act to advise HRV's Board on matters concerning harness racing, facilitate consultation between the Board and participants, and consider matters referred to it by the Board.
The council is up for reappointment before it sits again in February, including seats for people with experience or interest in the Victorian harness racing industry. Nominations close November 11.
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Winners get star treament with sponsored upgrade at Melton Entertainment Park
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Victors and sponsors will be celebrated in HD thanks to a financial contribution from HRV’s previous joint venture partner, TAB, to the new digital winning post signage at Melton Entertainment Park.
Four large LED screens have transformed the Melton winning post, an initiative paid for in full as part of the previous wagering agreement with HRV.
HRV corporate partnerships manager Andrew Pirchan said the new digital signage would put supporters of harness racing in Victoria in a new light.
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Breeders Crown finals elevated to Group 2 for big November evening
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Breeders Crown finalists will race for Group 2 honours in November’s futurity series, with greater payments increasing the stakes.
The eight finals will be a part of the November 16 card at Melton, with the Saturday night also featuring the $75,000 VHRC Caduceus Classic and $50,000 Australian Trotting Grand Prix for free-for-all pacers and trotters.
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Commitment to creating a "safe and enjoyable environment for all"
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You will see the below new signage at racetracks, providing a reminder about expected behaviours.
If you would like to report bullying, sexual harassment (current or historical), discriminatory or other unacceptable behaviours, please lodge your report via the following link.
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Victorian two-year-olds to go racing in 2025 from February
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Harness Racing Victoria will introduce weekly restricted two-year-old races from February 1 to create more opportunities for young horses.
A racing department review of last year’s calendar found many early season two-year-old races failed to deliver sufficient field sizes to proceed. In an attempt to remedy this, HRV will program two-year-old races at central Victorian venues, where the category's population is greatest.
Programming for pacers will begin February 1 with trotters to kick off from March 1.
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thetrots.com.au attacked, affecting Harness Racing Victoria's digital services
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Harness Racing Victoria's website, thetrots.com.au, suffered a series of online attacks from October 24, which temporarily impacted services.
The site was among several to suffer the international attack, which saw it temporarily diverted to an alternative site.
HRV and RISE technicians have worked to remedy the situation, which hasn't exposed any users of thetrots.com.au, only the site itself.
Some assets on the site, including sectionals, honour rolls and the trainers' directory, continue to be impacted and will be amended as soon as possible.
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Participant Industry Assistance Program - mental health & work/life support
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INDUSTRY NEWS FROM THETROTS.COM.AU: YOUR HOME OF HARNESS RACING IN VICTORIA
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WATCH: “KEEP GOING, KEEP SMILING AND CHEER HARD!”
Click the above image to hear from Katrina "Smiley" Fitzpatrick, who has been an incredible trailblazer for women in harness racing and caught up with Bronte Nieuwenburg to share her love, journey and passion for the sport and its participants.
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HERBERTSON PREPARES FOR EXCITING OPPORTUNITY IN FRANCE
James Herbertson is set to take his sky-rocketing career to even greater heights thanks to a generous opportunity from Le Trot and a flourishing partnership with Harness Racing Victoria.
The 24-year-old reinsman will travel to France in late November where he will drive in the Prix des Rencontres Internationales du Trotteur Français at Vincennes and work alongside world-renowned horseman Jean-Michel Bazire at the incredible Domaine de Grosbois training centre in Paris.
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EWA TO TACKLE 2024 AUSTRALASIAN YOUNG DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP
Ewa Justice will continue her whirlwind 2024 season with another incredible opportunity later this year.
The 21-year-old has been picked to represent Victoria in the 2024 Australasian Young Drivers Championships, which will see leading participants under the age of 25 battle it out in heats throughout New South Wales during December.
The series starts at Menangle on December 10 and concludes with a race on Inter Dominion grand final night at the same track on December 14.
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Have a question for HRV staff? Email askhrv@hrv.org.au
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From the integrity department:
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NEW CHIEF VET
HRV integrity is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Anil Prabhu as chief veterinarian. Dr Prabhu, who will start November 6, is an exceptional candidate with extensive experience in regulatory and client aspects of horse racing. His distinguished career includes roles at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Singapore Turf Club, and the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC), reflecting his commitment to equine welfare and integrity.
Dr Prabhu has also worked internationally at the Qatar Race and Equestrian Club and Umm Qarn Farm in Doha, Qatar. His diverse background in regulatory oversight and hands-on care positions him uniquely to enhance veterinary standards in the sport. The integrity department is confident that, under Dr Prabhu’s leadership, HRV will continue to uphold and improve the welfare and integrity of our horses.
LATE CHANGES
Please be advised that industry participants can use the phone number (03) 9214 0650 to leave messages regarding late scratchings, driver changes, and notification of driving tactics.
When leaving a voice message, kindly provide your license number for identification purposes, along with the relevant details you wish to notify HRV stewards about. This service is particularly useful for contacting HRV stewards outside of office hours, on weekends or on public holidays.
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From customer service, futurities and licensing:
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FUTURITIES NOMINATIONS:
Information about Vicbred age acceptances fees (2, 3 and 4YOs) and conditions for 2025 will be sent late November or early December. Enhancements have been made to HarnessWeb via the 'My Futurities' tab, allowing you to withdraw or select series fees for 2YOs.
LICENCE RENEWALS:
Thank you to all participants who have renewed for this racing season. As part of the process, HarnessWeb was enhanced to include the ability to upload medical certificates and complete the online betting declaration form. A further site improvement makes it possible to photograph your medical form and upload it instantaneously. For participants who have not renewed, it is not too late. Go to HarnessWeb to complete your licence today!
FOAL NOTIFICATIONS
For the '23/24 service season please ensure the result of the service is notified through to HRV within three weeks, live or not. This can be done online via HarnessWeb or by filling in a Foal Notification form on the Foal notification information page at thetrots.com.au. For all breeders and studs who have used the new process online – thank you! We are continuing to improve efficiencies around this process. If you have any feedback please send it to info@hrv.org.au.
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Contact the Customer Service Team on 03 8378 0200, 8.30am-5pm weekdays, or email info@hrv.org.au.
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From Pony Trots Victoria:
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- Pony trots continues to grow, with 15 ponies competing at Maryborough on Redwood Day.
- We are looking forward to introducing members of the Ballarat Pony Club to pony trots with a come-and-try option at the race meeting on October 31. Thanks to Ballarat and District Trotting Club for facilitating the union and providing a BBQ for members on the night.
- Six pony trot members will be chosen this week to represent Victoria in the Mini Trot ID at Menangle in December. Successful applicants will be announced from November 1.
- Pony trots has a stand at Equitana next month to attract new members to our wonderful sport. Pony trot drivers will attend to help spread the word.
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More information, including the racing calendar, is available at www.ponytrotsvictoria.org.au or via email to ponytrotsvic@hrv.org.au.
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From workforce development:
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YOUNG DRIVERS
The Young Drivers' Program has continued to deliver training, with the latest being led by Investigative Steward Elisha Basse. It focused on boundaries and respect — navigating workplace conduct.
This training is, in part, a response to the recommendations from the Office of the Racing Integrity Commissioner.
YOUNG REPRESENTATIVES
James Herbertson will drive in the International Race at Vincennes on Friday, November 29, and Ewa Justice has been chosen to represent Victoria in the Australasian Young Driver Championships, which will be in New South Wales in December.
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Contact the Racing office on 03 8378 0291 from 7.30am-3.30pm weekdays or 8-9am weekends & public holidays, or email racing@hrv.org.au. For late scratchings or driver changes out of hours, leave a message on 03 9214 0650.
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HRV Communications
400 Epsom Road, Flemington, 3031
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