Whether it will benefit country areas, she says, remains to be seen.

The Orange-based trainer-owner-breeder is concerned about the domino effect bumping up minimum prizemoney in country TAB meetings from $15,000 to $20,000 will have on country-based trainers who prepare horses with lower benchmarks than their metropolitan cousins.

Van Den Bos, who has as many as 11 horses in work in Orange, said with prizemoney in provincial areas also receiving a $5000 increase, rising to $27,000, it is likely city-based trainers will flood the provincial market.

That’ll leave provincial trainers with little option but to send their horses bush.

And, Van Den Bos is wondering, where does that leave country trainers?

“It looks great on paper,” she said, referring to big names of provincial trainers backing country clubs, the likes of Bjorn Baker and Gary Portelli.

“But how long will it be before it kills off country racing?

“I’d love to be able to win that kind of money ... but the domino effect from city and provincial meetings and the benchmark system will mean my horses won’t even get a run in the country.”

Increases in minimum country TAB and provincial prizemoney, as well as the introduction of Showcase Country Race Meetings, will account for more than 60 per cent of the proceeds from the second and third years of wagering tax parity and provide an enormous boost for racing in these sectors.

Michael Plummer, who has a 12 horses in work at the Towac Park stables, echoed Van Den Bos’ sentiment, and was hopeful country meetings would still be a viable option for trainers in the region.

“I hope not,” he said, when asked if the increase would lead to an influx of provincial trainers to Towac Park.

“I think in places like Bathurst and Orange, the last lot of increases brought about a lot of provincial trainers because there wasn’t an increase at their meetings.

“This time around there’s been an increase in provincial TAB meetings, too, which I think will mean there won’t be that same swell in provincial numbers. 

“They’ll still come, but I think here’s still a decent opportunity for country trainers and owners too.”