RACING in KwaZulu-Natal will receive a significant boost on November 1, 2013, with the announcement that the Board of Gold Circle has voted R10 million towards an increase in stakes for the 2013/2014 financial year.

The majority of the money will go towards minor race increases with the biggest at the bottom end of the scale. Significantly, Maiden races will now be worth R75 000 – an increase of R9 000 per race.

R1,5 million of the proposed R10 million will go towards feature races to meet with Graded Stakes criteria.

Gold Circle has also budgeted for an increased number of racemeetings – 109 as opposed to last season’s 98 – giving more opportunity for trainers to run their horses.

The KZN Challenge finals have also been included in the R10 million increase, and each final will now be run for a stake of R200 000, up from the current R150 000. These increases will come into effect for the KZN Summer Challenge Finals in December.