The Victorian racing industry has rallied to help those affected by the devastating bushfires which have engulfed the state.A series of fund raising efforts are planned at metropolitan and country race meetings throughout Victoria with more than $200,000 already pledged from racing industry participants.Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) along with the Australian Trainers Association (ATA) is offering assistance to trainers who may have lost horses, property or infrastructure in the fires.Kilmore rac

The Victorian racing industry has rallied to help those affected by the devastating bushfires which have engulfed the state.

A series of fund raising efforts are planned at metropolitan and country race meetings throughout Victoria with more than $200,000 already pledged from racing industry participants.

Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) along with the Australian Trainers Association (ATA) is offering assistance to trainers who may have lost horses, property or infrastructure in the fires.

Kilmore racecourse was used as a re-fuelling station for helicopters over the weekend, while the Yarra Valley Racing Centre (YVRC) has now been set-up as a control point for the Country Fire Authority (CFA) and police.

Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria has offered its assistance in relocating horses.

The YVRC and RVL will donate the gate proceeds from its next race meeting on February 22 to the local CFA.

At Moonee Valley on Saturday donations can also be made and a collection point will be set up to take goods such as bedding, clothing, tinned food, household appliances, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

A mobile blood bank will also be on course at Moonee Valley.

RVL and Melbourne's three metropolitan racing clubs have already donated $10,000 each to the cause while a racehorse owner has anonymously pledged $100,000.

Corporate bookmaker Sportingbet Australia has donated $10,000 while the Australian Jockeys Association and Australian Trainers Association have donated $5,000 each.

Connections of Blue Diamond Stakes fancy Rostova donated $2,000 after her Prelude win at Caulfield on Sunday and pledged another $8,000 should she win the two-year-old feature on February 21.

Jockey Brad Rawiller pledged all his prizemoney earnings from two wins and a third at Monday's Sale meeting to the appeal.

Tabcorp Holdings Ltd on Monday also pledged $2 million to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund.