Racing SA, Greyhound Racing SA and Harness Racing SA will receive a vital funding boost following the announcement the SA Government will increase the return of betting operations tax revenue from 10% to 20%.
The new funding model will commence from July 1, 2023 and run for four years.
As was the case with the current model, the funding will be shared between the three codes, based on relative market share.
“The three codes had worked tirelessly to make SA racing nationally competitive and return of tax income generated by racing is a significant factor in achieving that competitiveness,” a GRSA spokesperson said.
“We welcome the increase and appreciate this strong signal of support from the state government for an industry that is both a significant employer and economic contributor to the state.
“And we look forward to demonstrating the faith the government has shown through this increase will deliver strong returns to the state.”
Another successful day for Katsiris It’s not all that often that Victorian greyhound trainer Michael Katsiris makes the 10-hour round trip over to Mount Gambier from the Melbourne suburb of Thomastown for a Tara Raceway meeting.
But when he does, his success rate is generally pretty good – as was the case last Thursday when he landed his first double at the track with Redshift Papa and Redshift Uniform.
Redshift Papa, a son of Ritza Lenny and Wentworth Park winner Queen Of Ziems, virtually led all the way in the Klaassens Contractors Maiden Stake (305 metres) when holding out Uncle Stripes for a three-quarter of a length win in 18.21 seconds.
Purchased from NSW owner Peter Tweddle, the red fawn dog had found his way down to Victoria last month on the back of a couple of unplaced runs at Dapto.
And speaking after the race, Katsiris had been the first to admit that he had not been expecting too much from Redshift Papa.
“His form had been only average.
And given that he’s a young dog and was having his first look at the track I was not really all that confident, especially as he’s still doing a bit wrong.
“I’m hopeful, though, there will be further improvement in him.”
Redshift Uniform, a daughter of Barcia Bale and Taylor Made Star – Queen Of Ziems’ litter sister – was always on the pace in the Exchange Printers TG1-4W Stake (512 m).
And after taking the lead off the back she ran home strongly for a four length win over Saint Ollie in 30.26 seconds.
“She was another one of Peter’s breed to also find her way down here.
“Actually, today’s double is my first since returning to the sport 18 months ago after a break of 25 years,” Katsiris said.
The last time he had raced at Tara Raceway had been back in January when Larry And Harry won over 400 metres in a quick 22.90 seconds.
With seven greyhounds currently in work, Katsiris said his team, while running plenty of placings in Victoria, was finding it hard to win races, given the competition in that state.
And on Saturday night, Redshift Romeo, a litter brother to Redshift Uniform, was engaged over 450 metres at Traralgon.
However, despite running a terrific race, he was narrowly beaten into second place.
Meanwhile, Cape Bridgewater owner-trainer Scott Blacksell, currently contending with hip replacement issues, was back on track last Thursday to see Mocambora Izza score an upset win in the Greg Martlew Autos TG5+W Stake (400 m).
The daughter of My Redeemer and Raz’s Girl brought up her 11th win when leading all the way from box seven, defeating long odds-on favourite Blue Sky Boy by 2¼ lengths in 23.32 seconds.
