Racing: Hiskens Steeplechase may be transferred to Warrnambool course

The Hiskens Steeplechase, one of Victorian jumps racing's blue riband events, may find a new home at Warrnambool.

Under Racing Victoria's benchmarks for the sport to survive beyond this year, Moonee Valley will no longer stage jumping races.

Not surprisingly, Moonee Valley has shown little interest in funding the $200,0000 Hiskens to be run elsewhere.

Warrnambool Racing Club chairman Margaret Lucas lost no time in lobbying for the race.

"If it's up for grabs, we'll put our oar in," Lucas told the Herald Sun.

A Sunday Hiskens at the 'Bool (in Western Victoria) run late in the season would be an exciting addition to the club's jumps roster.

The race would be the classier cousin of the famous Grand Annual run in May and act as a lead-in for the Grand Nationals.

Australian Jumps Racing Association president Rodney Rae said the Hiskens at Warrnambool seemed to be a good fit and while he had not discussed the option, every effort would be made to reposition the feature race.

RVL has committed A$3 million to jumps racing for 2010, but up to A$500,000 of that will be allocated to modifying the existing jumps.

The balance will go to prizemoney, with a programme to be announced by February 15.

Rae and RVL racing operations manager Paul Bloodworth will compile the programme.

- AAP