Coupled with a hike of RM2,500 this year, it means an increase of RM7,500 in two years. A substantial sum, considering that prizemoney for Class 5, Maiden or Restricted Maiden races prior to this was only RM25,000.

(Following PNTC’s increase of RM2,500 this year, the Selangor Turf Club and Perak Turf Club paid out a bonus of RM3,000 and RM2,500 respectively to the winners of the non-feature races. However, the PNTC’s increase was across the board, which benefited more owners.)

The added stakes by PNTC represent an increase of 10.71 percent for horses in Class 1, 13.63 percent for Class 2, 21.42 percent for Class 3, 25.00 percent for Class 4 and 30.00 percent for Classes 5, Maiden and Restricted Maiden.

The hike in the stakes for 2005 is expected to cost the club an extra RM1.1 million. The club currently stages two RM1 million feature races.

Tan also announced that the club has managed to convince PNTC-based trainers to set a limit for their training costs.

For local trainers the fee is fixed at RM38.000, while for expatriate trainers, it will be RM41,000 per horse per annum.

"The fees will be inclusive of training, maintenance, fodder, vitamins, farriery, veterinary, entry fees and racing charges.

"The club will as far as possible see that the fixed annual fee is adhered to. Any training fee above the fixed fee can be charged only with the approval of the club and unless trainers justify such additional charges, the fixed training fee must be followed at all times."