Elwick track redevelopment update
As noted in my last CEO message, Tasracing appointed highly experienced firm Dalton Consulting Engineers (DCE) to undertake the concept design work for the thoroughbred track redevelopment project at Elwick.
It is proposed that DCE will present a range of conceptual designs for evaluation by industry stakeholders.
The next step will be to shortlist designs that will be costed before being presented to the Tasracing Board for consideration and funding.
The final design scenario will then be put to suitably recognised thoroughbred track constructors for tender.
The project award phase of the work is scheduled for prior to Spring this year.
The selected turf species for the track will be planted in August/September in readiness for laying on the new track in August/September 2019.
The construction works are currently planned to commence immediately after the running of the 2019 Hobart Cup.
Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival wrap-up
The Tasracing event team played a critical role in the success of the events that supported this year’s Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival race meetings.
The team worked with the host clubs to deliver an unprecedented number of major hospitality and social events during the carnival.
These included a new VIP Hobart Cup Eve Cocktail Party on the Wrest Point lawns, which will hopefully become an annual event on the racing calendar, and the Australian Female Jockey Championships, the first event of its type, enjoying wide media attention for its celebration of females in racing.
In addition, Tasracing’s Young Racing marquees sold out on Devonport, Hobart and Launceston Cup Days. Guests were surveyed after the events, returning outstanding customer satisfaction ratings and very positive comments.
High-profile artists The Rubens and Asta headlined Hobart Cup Day. The acts helped draw the strongest cup day crowd for several years.
Jockey Shiralee Maher returns to work as Tasracing administrative assistant
Shiralee Maher is Tasracing’s first return to work participant under our Return to Work Program.
She is working as an administrative assistant supporting the legal team for a fixed term of three months following suffering a serious eye injury.
Shiralee recently told Tasracing.com.au: “When all of a sudden the riding career is cut short there aren’t too many options.
“I worked in an office 14-years-ago but left to be outside, so going back to that life is something I never really thought about while riding.
“I’ve been forced into this because the eye injury I sustained prevents me working with horses so I have to focus on something I can do and at Tasracing I am still working in the industry and it will keep me in touch with what I love to do.”
Tasracing has established a Suitable Alternative Duties Register and other return to work positions and opportunities are being identified for those currently unable to work because of injury.
Appointments
Tasracing has recently made a number of key appointments as follows:
- Daron Heald – Chief Financial Officer (promoted from Financial Controller)
- Ann Swain – Company Secretary (included in duties as Legal Counsel)
- Yolanda Peckham – Finance Manager (promoted from Senior Accountant)
- Liam Swan – Strategic Development Manager (new to organisation)
Congratulations to all on their new positions.
Tasracing TV
Tasracing’s digital team has added new features to Tasracing TV, including ‘TasracingTV On Demand’ plus new ‘From the Stables’ pre-race day interviews.
Tasracing TV is growing in popularity with punters across Australia – for example, the service attracted its biggest daily viewership to date on Hobart Cup Day with more 1,000 customers “tuning in”.
The service is central to our strategy to attract and engage wagering customers, with more planned content improvements to be rolled out over the next 12 months.
Punters database for harness and greyhounds to be launched soon
Tasracing is finalising the new harness and greyhound Punters Database for launch in the coming months.
Importantly, the database will take Tasracing’s form analysis service for all three codes to a level that exceeds that provided by many of our competitors.
Combined with the improvements to TasracingTV outlined above, the database service will contribute to ongoing growth in demand for our product in the face of increasing competition.
Greyhound Launceston Cup
The 2018 Group 2 Curtains and Blinds Launceston Cup moved from its traditional Monday night timeslot to a Saturday twilight slot this year.
The move, initiated by the Launceston Greyhound Racing Club and supported by Tasracing, was designed to generate a higher level of public and community interest in the event.
The $40,000 first prize was taken out by Del Ray, trained by Tom Tzouvelis from Queensland for the Temnick Syndicate, with Zulu Knocks and Hemsworth, which are locally trained by Anthony Bullock and Michael Stringer respectively, finishing second and third.
The LGRC has already proposed the same Saturday evening timeslot for the final in 2019.
Harjeet wins Easter Cup
It is always a pleasure to reflect on local victories in key Tasmanian races – so it is pleasing to note Harjeet’s effortless win in the $75,000 Maxfield Drilling Easter Cup.
In winning the race (his 10th from 14 starts) Harjeet broke the Launceston Racing Centre track record.
Trainer-driver Todd Rattray was obviously delighted with the win, beating Lets Elope (10-metres behind) and Stagger Lee (a further 14-metres back).
Congratulations Todd, and I look forward to writing about more successes for this impressive harness horse.
Vaughn Lynch
Chief Executive Officer
Tasracing