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Original constituency question from Juliana Addison MP to Parliament –

My question is for the Minister for Racing and is about the 2019 Ballarat Cup, to be held on Saturday, 23 November, at Dowling Forest Racecourse, one of Victoria’s premier racing and training venues.

We are proud that it is the home of Melbourne Cup winning jockey Michelle Payne and her brother Stevie. The Ballarat Cup is a great day out for young and old, a chance to spend time with friends, dress up and have fun. It also provides an important boost to our local economy.

I am thrilled that Ballarat will host the richest country cup of Australia, with $500 000 in prize money, and I want to encourage people to come to the Ballarat Cup.

Minister, can you please advise what this government is doing to support racing at Ballarat and how we are going to provide an enhanced race day experience for racegoers at this year’s Ballarat Cup? And if you could arrange some great weather, that would be most appreciated.

Answer from the Hon Martin Pakula MP, Minister for Racing (22nd January 2020)  – 

The Victorian Government is a strong supporter of the thoroughbred industry in Ballarat, which contributes $89m in gross economic benefit and more than 750 jobs.

Since December 2014 the Government has provided nearly $5 million to the Ballarat Turf Club (BTC) through the Victorian Racing Industry Fund to support 10 infrastructure projects with a total value of $11.9 million. This includes installation of the club’s new synthetic racing and training track and a significant upgrade of the horse stalls area.

In addition, the Government has provided nearly $650,000 through the Raceday Attraction Programme to support 23 initiatives to attract new patrons to the races and assist the club to deliver the best possible raceday experience for everyone on course.