Racing agreement a big step forward: Coast trainer

ONE of the region's leading trainers has applauded the agreement between State Government and Queensland racing industry.

AT CORBOULD PARK: Horses rattle down the straight at Sunday's meeting. Picture: Warren Lynam

RACING: One of Corbould Park's leading trainers says the recent agreement between the State Government and the state's racing industry is a "monumental step forward".

The Government has committed an ongoing annual $26million into prizemoney, with the first $18million to be injected from November 1.

Sunshine Coast trainer David Vandyke said it was a significant breakthrough.

"It's good to see that the Government and the racing industry can sit down and work for the greater good of racing in this state," he said.

"I think this is the start of a better relationship.

"We've got a lot of work to do to get in good shape but this is a monumental step forward and if we all move ahead in one direction, Queensland has all the elements to eventually be right up there as one of the best racing states in the country.

"We've got the climate, geography, a growing population ... and the Magic Millions sales, which are good pluses.

"If we can improve our foresight, we can go a long way in reaching our potential as a racing force."

The agreement was reached after the thoroughbred industry took exception to what it believed was a raw deal in the initial point of consumption tax allocation announcement this month.

Strike action was held at Queensland TAB meetings around the state on Cox Plate day.

Potential strike action was averted for Melbourne Cup day meetings, including the Sunshine Coast, when the agreement was made on Friday.

The $26million is a 25 per cent increase on the level of prizemoney being distributed in the thoroughbred industry across the state.

"We've now got some unity and a positive step forward," Vandyke said.

"Money is great but good management is more important because that creates money and apart from the money, that's what I got most out of Friday's meeting. I felt that we're heading into an era of better management for our industry."

In return for the boost in prizemoney, the Government has asked for an undertaking from the industry that it will seek broader reforms for long-term sustainability.