3 minute read
Tasmanian Summer Racing Festival showcases strength of Tasmanian form.
Just more than half of the $3.8 million of prize money offered in feature races of the Ladbrokes 2023/24 Tasmanian Summer Racing Festival was won by Tasmanian participants.
Tasracing CEO Andrew Jenkins said the festival's racing was, as expected, very competitive.
"It is a good result for the Tasmanian industry given the quality of interstate-based horses and greyhounds that travelled to the state this summer," he said.
"It does prove that Tasmanian-bred and trained animals can compete against those from interstate that annually target the festival.
"For example, the performance of Geegees Mistruth was particularly impressive, winning four from four races during her 2YO season.
"Other notable Tasmanian performances were delivered by First Accused in the Newmarket Handicap, Ashy Boy in the Devonport Cup for thoroughbreds, Raider's Guide in the Ladbrokes Chase, Fast Minardi in the greyhounds Launceston Cup, Mickey Oh in the pacing Devonport Cup, Rackmeup Tigerpie in the Hobart Cup for pacing and All By Myself in the Golden Apple.
"Meanwhile, Victorian-based Excelleration, which won the Launceston Cup, went on to win the Group 2 Adelaide Cup on 11 March which highlights the platform our racing can provide."
Mr Jenkins said he was pleased that country race days on King Island, at Longford, St Marys, Scottsdale, Burnie and Carrick were so well supported.
"While national exposure for summer racing was extremely important to the Tasmanian racing industry, it was also important to generate local support through crowds at race days that showcase the racecourse experience," he said.
"These well-supported country race days do just that."
Mr Jenkins said $76,000 was shared between 40 sporting clubs across the state as part of the Ladbrokes Community Sports series.
"Local sporting clubs were invited to enter a draw to be selected to have a horse running in their name on each thoroughbred cup race day," he said.
"The total prize pool for each race was $25,000, with the winning club receiving $10,000.
"The $10,000 winners were the Turners Beach Cricket Club, the Colebrook Golf Club and the North Launceston Bowls and Community Club."
Mr Jenkins said the Tasmanian racing industry would now turn its attention to a very busy Easter period.
"We have Hobart greyhounds on the Thursday before Easter, Launceston gallops and Hobart harness and greyhounds on Good Friday, Launceston harness on Easter Saturday and Launceston greyhounds on Easter Monday," he said.
The 2023/24 festival was extended slightly officially commencing g with the state's premier thoroughbred sprint race, the Newmarket Handicap on Wednesday 29 November 2023, and finishing with the Tasmania Cup for the harness code on Saturday 3 March 2024.
There were 27 race days in total across the three codes.
It also included the 150th running of the Ladbrokes Hobart Cup, and also the Ladbrokes Devonport and Launceston Cups for thoroughbreds and the Ladbrokes Hobart Thousand for greyhounds.
Released by:
Nicolas Turner
Tel: 0418 538 865
