In recognition of rising costs encountered by Victorian greyhound trainers, the GRV Board yesterday approved an increase to Starter payments effective from 1 May.

The Starter payment to trainers for participation in the racing program will double from $10 to $20 per greyhound starting at a race meeting, with the increase designed to assist trainers in managing rising costs for items such as fuel, pet food and veterinary care.

Trainers currently receive a $70 travel subsidy plus a $10 starter payment for every greyhound they train that competes at a Victorian race meeting.

The GRV Board also today approved a change in the weekly race meeting program from 26 to 25 meetings per week, with Healesville’s daytime slot on Tuesdays no longer a permanent fixture on the calendar as from next month.

The reduction in meetings follows a detailed review of the performance of the racing program. The revised program will ensure the racing calendar is more closely aligned to the present climate, taking into account variables such as the current active greyhound population and the volume of races in the program being conducted with fewer than eight starters.

Despite the change to the racing program, GRV remains committed to maintaining returns to participants at the budgeted $63.3M for the 2021/22 financial year.

The increase to the Starter payment will remain in place while a comprehensive review of travel and starter payments and total returns to participants is undertaken in preparation for the 2022/23 financial year.