Whilst the Stayer's Initiative in 07/08 presented the first opportunity for horses outside of the two and three years age range to win bonuses, the "First Win Initiative" to commence on 1/8/08, will change the Westspeed landscape dramatically. Under this change, any Westspeed nominated horse which completes its three year old season of racing as a Maiden will receive a bonus for its first win beyond that age, in a TAB covered non-Group race. No subsequent wins by the same horse will bring a bonus unless they are over 1800 metres or more whilst the horse is still four years of age. This means that whilst the bonus emphasis still remains on two and three year old racing (and four year olds in races of 1800 metres or more), Westspeed will become a whole of career proposition with many more horses providing a return to their breeder/owner and virtually every TAB covered race in W.A. being a potential Westspeed event!
The Westspeed Incentive Scheme continues to receive amazing support from Western Australian breeders and owners and the recently completed 2007/08 Racing Season has seen subscriptions and bonus payments reach levels that were unimaginable when the scheme commenced.
The table below details just how much the scheme has grown since its inception in 1999/2000.
| 1999/00 | 2000/01 | 2001/02 | 2002/03 | 2003/04 | 2004/05 | 2005/06 | 2006/07 | 2007/08 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subs Rec'd | $676,500 | $513,000 | $475,500 | $517,500 | $660,500 | $842,000 | $1,037,500 | $1,160,500 | $1,196,000 |
| Owner | 387 | 289 | 276 | 292 | 384 | 520 | 630 | 703 | 728 |
| Breeder | 579 | 448 | 399 | 451 | 553 | 644 | 815 | 915 | 944 |
| Bonuses Paid | $0 | $236,500 | $686,500 | $605,000 | $1,032,250 | $1,719,000 | $1,798,000 | $2,166,000 | $3,100,000 |
The leap in bonuses paid in 07/08 is primarily the result of the full year effect of the following enhancements which were introduced in February 2007,
Detailed below are bonus distributions by age for the last two seasons.
| Age | 2006/07 | 2007/08 |
|---|---|---|
| 2yo | $589,000 | $750,000 |
| 3yo | $1,577,000 | $2,100,000 |
| 4yo | $0 | $250,000 |
| $2,166,000 | $3,100,000 |
The only amendment to the existing bonus schedule in 2008/09 will be some indexed adjustments to the minimum stake levels which define the various tiers of bonuses. Tabled below is the Westspeed Bonus Schedule as it will apply in 2008/09.
| Westspeed Bonus Schedule For 2008/09 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Race Stake | Breeder's Bonus | Owner's Bonus | Total |
| > $43,749 | $5,000 | $15,000 | $20,000 |
| $15,750 - $43,749 | $2,500 | $7,500 | $10,000 |
| $6,300 - $15,749 | $1,250 | $3,750 | $5,000 |
| < $6,300 | $625 | $1,875 | $2,500 |
The big change for 08/09 however, is the introduction of the "First Win Initiative" whereby any Westspeed nominated horse which is a maiden, regardless of its age, will receive a bonus at the applicable rate, for its first win, provided that win is in a TAB covered, non-Group Race. This enhancement effectively gives Westspeed a whole of career span rather than its previously exclusive focus on two and three year old racing. As such, from 1/8/08, bonuses are available to all existing Westspeed nominated gallopers in the following circumstances.
Almost every TAB covered race conducted in W.A now potentially carries a bonus and as per usual, all horses competing for Westspeed bonuses will be identifiable by means of the Westspeed logo appearing against their name in the race book.
