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More than 80 per cent ($2.36 million) of the 2016 Betfair Exchange Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival (TSRC) stakes was won by Tasmanian horses.

Tasracing chief executive officer Eliot Forbes said this was broadly in line with last year’s result when $2.2 million of carnival stakes stayed in Tasmania for the benefit of the industry and the economy.

“The carnival was again very competitive,” he said.

“The racing throughout the carnival was excellent and demonstrated, once again, that Tasmanian-bred and trained horses can compete against interstate horses that target our carnival.

“Only five of the feature races were won by interstate horses.”

Dr Forbes said leading trainer Chris Waller visited Tasmania for the first time and won the Strutt Stakes for three-year-old fillies with Sebring Sally.

“I Love It just failed in her attempt to win back-to-back Bow Mistress’s before winning the Vamos Stakes,” he said.

“Leading interstate trainers Gai Waterhouse, Robert Smerdon, Mick Kent, Patrick Payne, Peter Moody and Robbie Griffiths were all represented at the carnival this summer.”

Dr Forbes said it was pleasing to note that Tasmanian horse Up Cups won both the Hobart and Launceston Cups, collecting the $100,000 UBET Cups Double Bonus.

“Admiral’s win in the UBET George Adams Plate for the second year in a row was also an outstanding achievement,” he said.

Dr Forbes said there were 11 race meetings in 2016 between 8 January and 24 February.

There were 92 races and prize money totaling $2.9 million on offer.