Leading thoroughbred outfit Aquis has thrown its support behind the Queensland racing industry, guaranteeing all Queensland-based runners at the Canterbury night race meeting this Friday (26 October) and Royal Randwick this Saturday (27 October) will receive a financial return for their investment in the industry.
Racing NSW and Aquis today announced a minimum payment of $1,000 for all starters not finishing in the first 10 at the Canterbury and Royal Randwick meetings. Aquis will fund the initiative for all Queensland-based trainers who qualify.
Aquis CEO Shane McGrath said the company was supporting the initiative to assist Queensland trainers, breeders, owners and jockeys through the planned strike action.
"We're pleased to be able to partner with Racing NSW and provide this support which we hope will be taken up by Queensland participants racing for the excellent prizemoney in Sydney," he said.
"We appreciate these are difficult times for everyone in the Queensland industry and want to do our bit to ensure people in the industry can continue to earn a living while the situation is being resolved."
"By guaranteeing some prizemoney for all Queensland runners we hope to give local trainers and owners the confidence to head and south and know that they will be coming home with something."
The new incentive means horses finishing 7th to 10thwill receive the standard $3,500 in unplaced prizemoney for Saturday meetings and $1,500 for Friday nights. Runners placed 11th and beyond will receive $1,000, with Queensland registered runners being provided by Aquis.
Nominations for both meetings have also been extended by one hour and close at 12 noon (Sydney time) on Monday 22 October 2018.
These payments are in addition to travel rebates for Friday night/Saturday metropolitan racing announced by the Australian Turf Club.
