WIMMERA Racing has expressed disappointment at the widening gap between minimum prize money increases between country and metropolitan race meetings from August 1.
Racing Victoria announced that country minimums would increase in two stages from $9000 to $12,000 and from $12,000 to $15,000 for Thursdays and P1 Sundays.
Metropolitan minimums will increase to $30,000 for mid-week night races and to $70,000 for Saturday and feature night races.
Wimmera Racing chief executive officer Sandy Horton said the increases were a start, but they were by no means satisfied with the outcome.
"They obviously have much stronger lobby groups than we do," Mr Horton said.
"But most clubs are pleased that they are at least getting something, it has initially gone to $10,500 minimum which is $1500 up on the previous minimum."
Mr Horton said it was not all `doom and gloom', and Country Racing Victoria would continue to fight to bridge the gap with metropolitan race meetings.
"Like Country Racing Victoria we are very worried that the minimums between us keep widening, rather than getting smaller," he said.
"Country racing produces 75 per cent of all starters in Victoria, so we expect we should get bigger prize money pool in the country."