Premier Sydney trainer Chris Waller has hit out at increased costs announced by the Australian Turf Club this week but says industrial action is not the answer.
Waller says the costs to owners are already too high and the ATC’s intention to increase stable rents and introduce key performance indicators will only exacerbate that.
He said the benefits of the 1.5 per cent turnover tax from bookmakers had yet to be seen.
“We need to get owners’ costs down,” Waller said.
“We’ve had an increase in prize money which is great but the owners’ costs keep creeping up.
“We are not seeing much of the 1.5 per cent.
“Industrial action is not the way to go. I don’t support that but we should be helping the owners.
“We have to keep the small people interested in the game.”
The NSW Trainers’ Association has threatened strike action over the latest increases.
Waller had a lean day at Rosehill with just one winner, Disciple, but is well placed on 143-1/2 wins for the season to break the Sydney record 156 with two months remaining as he heads to his third premiership win.