Thursday, 26 November 2009: Almost $3 million will be distributed in prizemoney during the 2010 AAMI Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival that takes pride of place on the national calendar in January-February.
The carnival, which runs from January 17 to February 24, was officially launched at Henry Jones Art Hotel at Sullivans Cove Hobart attended by about 100 invited guests and industry participants.
A special guest at the launch was Greg Carpenter, Racing Victoria's chief handicapper, who outlined the importance of enticing quality interstate horses to the carnival to contest feature races, especially the AAMI Hobart and Launceston Cups as well as the Cadbury Tasmanian Derby.
The launch included a fashion parade that previewed the likely fashions for this season's carnival, with the men's garments modelled by top Tasmanian trainer Gary White and last Sunday's Newmarket Handicap-winning jockey Justin Hamer.
Tasracing CEO Gary Lottering said the $400,000 AAMI Hobart Cup and $300,000 AAMI Launceston Cup were the jewels in the carnival crown but an array of feature races catering for all age groups and sexes is what makes the Tasmanian carnival such a brilliant event.
"The AAMI Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival is a major entertainment event at many levels," Mr Lottering said.
"While Tasmanians can see quality thoroughbred racing up close, it is the fashions and supporting social events that complete the package.
"The carnival also attracts many interstate visitors to the State which is important for the broader economy with about $14 million expected to be poured into the economy over the five weeks of the carnival."
The race meetings will be shared between The TOTE Racing Centre in Launceston and Tattersall's Park in Hobart.
Mr. Lottering was joined at the launch by Minister for Racing Michael Aird, Racing Victoria Limited handicapper Greg Carpenter, and jockeys, trainers and the face of the carnival, model Holly Robinson, who participated in a spectacular fashion parade.
The carnival includes the annual Magic Millions Tasmanian Select Yearling Sale on 23 February at the Inveresk saleyards in Launceston.
Mr. Lottering said he expected that the sale would attract buyers from across Australia.
"A catalogue of more than 160 horses will be offered for sale, featuring a good mix of Australia's leading sires," he said.
Mr Lottering said strong corporate support was an important factor behind the carnival's success.
"A close look at the program reveals that the AAMI Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival has many sponsor partners," he said.
"AAMI ongoing support is very important and has played a key part in attracting other sponsors keen to be associated with the State's major entertainment event," Mr. Lottering said.
