Articles of Interest

Westspeed incentive scheme

Westspeed Outcomes In 2009/10

After a budget busting 2008/09 when Westspeed Bonus payments soared by 32.3% to $4.245 million, it was deemed that in the prevailing economic climate, the scheme’s long term interests would be best served by a general steadying of the ship in 09/10.
Conscious of preserving affordability and the traditional focus on juvenile racing, it was decided that a pruning of the newly introduced “First Win Initiative”, (such that first career win bonuses beyond three years of age would be paid at 50% of the full rate and limited to four year olds only) coupled with proposed programming changes likely to result in less prime metropolitan 3yo races being conducted, would result in a more sustainable outcome.


Strike Rates Down

There was no need for panic, the total for 09/10 struggled to pass the $3 million dollar mark, with less than half of the reduction being attributable to the changes which were made and the balance being the result of significantly lower Westspeed winning strike rates, as evidenced by the following table.

Note: figures quoted for 09/10 projected from 12/7/10.

Local three year olds found the competition particularly tough in 09/10, with Westspeed runners successful in just 63.7% of prime metropolitan 3yo races and 49.1% of metro mid-week events, down from 72.62% and 60% respectively, in 08/09.
The fall in 4yo stayer’s bonuses was entirely predictable as it was highly unlikely that Star Encounter’s 08/09 staying successes which earned her $140,000 in stayers bonuses, were going to be repeated. Ironically, her full sister Galaxy Queen led the way for the stayers in 09/10 collecting bonuses of $70,000.


Westspeed In 2010/11 (and beyond)!

Westspeed rules, bonuses and subscriptions will remain unchanged in 2010/11, as does the scheme’s primary focus which is to,
“Provide owners and breeders with an incentive to invest in the Western Australian Thoroughbred Racing Industry and thereby assist in maintaining its viability” by

• Giving W.A. based owners an incentive to purchase W.A. bred horses, thereby maintaining and increasing the value of local stock and enabling Western Australian breeders to re-invest in a manner which will facilitate a continual
  upgrading of the quality of horses bred and raced in W.A.

• Ensuring an on-going W.A. horse population sufficient to service an expanding allocation of race dates whilst meeting overseas demand for W.A. bred gallopers.

RWWA’s historical commitment to the scheme, which was inaugurated by the WATC, is outlined in the following table.

The scheme’s performance in relation to its objectives, whilst in large part difficult to quantify, will continue to be monitored on an on-going basis, and whilst RWWA reserves the right to effect any future modifications and enhancements deemed necessary, industry participants across the state should rest assured that its commitment to the objectives of Westspeed remains unwavering.

Hawkeye Leads The Pack
Hawkeye Mort’s accession to the head of the Westspeed Leader Board could well be considered a victory for optimism and persistence over precocious talent, but that certainly won’t worry Arthur Mortimer. As the horse’s breeder, owner and trainer he’s now pocketed an extra $160,000 thanks to his decision back in 2007 to invest the $1650 required to make the gelding a full Westspeed participant.

Unremarkable Beginning
The prospects of that investment returning a dividend didn’t look too bright initially however when Hawkeye Mort was winless after seven runs as a two year old, often left in the wake of precocious youngsters such as Nollamara, Sheenasaidgrey and Russell Road who’d accumulated respective bonuses of $65,000, $60,000 and $60,000 as two year olds. After four average efforts in quick succession as a new three year old, Hawkeye’s losing streak was out to eleven and he appeared to be on the verge of racetrack ignominy.

Cream On The Cake
To this point in 2009/10 he’s endured a predictably spartan four year old campaign and although he’s continued to mix his form quite dramatically, he’s added more cream to an already rich cake with metropolitan wins over 1800 and 2100 metres having netted a further $40,000 in bonuses, propelling him to the top of the all-time Westspeed Bonus earners list!

The Party’s Nearly Over
Whilst the completion of the current season will see an end to Hawkeye Mort’s bonus spree, history would suggest that he’s highly likely to go around a few more times before season’s end and you wouldn’t want to be betting against him winning one of them (or betting on which one it’ll be!).

John Doherty
Westspeed Officer
RWWA.