Victoria will become a raceless thoroughbred state on 10 Mondays next season.

Racing Victoria wil trial 10 Mondays without a race meeting in a bid to enhance betting turnover.

The Monday meetings between January and Martch next year will be transferred to a twilight timeslot on Wednesdays to complement the usual midweek schedule.

RV says the trial move will boost betting turnover and give racing professionals a much needed day off.

Victorian Jockeys’ Association chief executive Matthew Hyland applauded the move.

“Jockeys can still ride trackwork until 9am on Mondays but then they will have a free day to themselves to spend with their family,” he said.

Racing Victoria has guaranteed trials will be held on the race free Mondays.

RV racing operations manager Paul Bloodworth said Mondays are a slow day for wagering.

“It’s a better way to facilitate better turnover by moving meetings to a twilight on a Wednesday,” he said.

“Our analysis tells us a second meeting on a Wednesday has the potential to produce greater turnover than a Monday meeting.

“We are viewing it as a trial and the results will influence whether we do it again or even for a longer period.”

Bloodworth said the 2017-2018 dates had been approved by stakeholders.

He said the race-free Mondays would run from January to the end of March with the only exception being the Labour Day public holiday meeting.