Country Racing Victoria announced yesterday it would ramp up its level of marketing for jumps races. It comes after RVL allowed the sport to continue next year subject to a raft of tough conditions.

CRV chief executive officer Scott Whiteman welcomed RVL’s decision and said it was vital jumps meetings were well promoted and well attended.

“We need local support to ensure jumps racing and the clubs that conduct these meetings will prosper into the future,” Whiteman said.

“We have a number of details to finalise, including an increase in the level of marketing support from CRV. It is a very exciting time for jumps racing now that a continuation has been agreed to.”

Racing Minister Rob Hulls was unavailable for comment, as he was on annual leave. But a Victorian Government spokesman Michael Sinclair took Mr Hulls’ standard line of stressing RVL’s independence.

“As the Minster for Racing has previously stated, RVL is the independent body responsible for the management and control of the racing industry,” Mr Sinclair said.

“Obviously the high rate of horse fatalities and falls was clearly unacceptable and bad for the image of the Victorian racing industry.

“The RVL board is best placed to take into account the views from all sides of the debate and has made a decision that could allow jumps racing to continue but in a way that will best protect the welfare of both horses and jockeys.”