Luke Pepper leaving ACT for NSW should make racing industry wary

[Wandering Eyes]

Albury trainer Mitch Beer says the racing industry should take notice of the demise of ACT racing and vote accordingly.

Albury trainer Mitch Beer has issued a passionate plea for anyone in favour of economic industry growth across Australia to carefully consider who they vote for at the ballot box.

Beer’s thoughts come after Luke Pepper told horsebetting.com.au he had no choice but to leave Canberra and relocate to Scone last week.

That was because he feels trainers in the region are not getting adequate financial support from the ACT Government.

Despite the fact racing is booming in country New South Wales, Beer feels sorry for his Canberra peers, with horse mentors now believing workers’ compensation costs in the region have become unaffordable.

“I think it (Pepper leaving Canberra for Scone) is a massive eye-opener for everyone in this country to realise how important governments are to our livelihoods,” Beer told horsebetting.com.au.

“I think what’s going on in Canberra, to think ‘oh well, it’ll never happen to us’ is a mindset that we should never take.

“I feel sorry for the people in the ACT. I think it’s so important that we learn from this and look at it and make sure we’re not in this position for the rest of the country.”

Adding to the financial strain Canberra trainers are under, last week the ACT Greens called for an end to public funding of racing in the nation’s capital.

Beer is aware of how quickly the racing industry can crumble if the public is encouraged to direct its support elsewhere, mentioning New Zealand’s financially-troubled thoroughbred scene as an example.

“It (a weakened racing industry) can easily happen. It can happen in New Zealand, not so much from the Greens, but a distinct lack of support from the government,” he said.

“And all of a sudden you’ve got people racing for no money, and meetings are scrapped.

“We see our prizemoney (in NSW) go up and up every year, and our industry gets stronger and stronger.

“But we should never take that for granted.

“You look at places that are booming and they do have good government support behind them.

“You can have the best racing bodies and people in charge. But unless the government supports what they want to do and fund it, then we’re all in strife.”

Beer noticed the financial damage of COVID-related shutdowns in the racing industry around Australia and abroad, and said he was lucky to be in NSW while these government-backed closures went ahead.

“I think COVID was a really good example of how governments portray racing, and how governments prioritise racing and realise how important it is,” he said.

“There was no better example of that during COVID when the majority of governments made racing continuing a huge priority.

“We saw it shut down (for months in both) Tasmania and New Zealand.

“When we have the backing of governments, you know you’re in a strong racing state. I think there are good references in that.

“Collectively, we (NSW) probably only lost three or four days. It was such a massive priority to keep going because racing funds so many things from a government point of view.

“We’re in the right place in country NSW, that’s for sure.”

Horsebetting.com.au contacted the ACT Government for comment last Thursday.

Its response on Wednesday outlined the importance of a well-regulated industry, primarily for animal welfare obligations.

“The ACT Government recognises the importance of Canberra’s local racing industry being well-managed, well-regulated and sustainable,” a spokesperson said.
 
“The ACT workers compensation scheme provides additional benefits and services in comparison to a similar scheme in NSW, including better coverage, income support and uncapped damages.

“The ACT scheme is privately underwritten by commercial insurers, and premiums are set competitively by those insurers, allowing employers to shop round for the best workers’ compensation premium. There are no plans to change the scheme.
 
“ACT Labor committed at the 2020 election that we would seek to renew the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the ACT Government, the Canberra Racing Club and the Canberra Harness Racing Club. The renewal of the MoU will provide industry certainty for the next five years.
 
“Under the MoU, the racing clubs agree to meet a range of expectations regarding industry management, particularly animal welfare obligations.
 
“We recognise that the Canberra community has high expectations for safe and well-regulated racing in return for this public investment.”

Thoroughbred Park in Canberra was also contacted for comment.  

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