Media release from Elise Archer, Minister for Racing – 9 January 2019

Tuesday 8 January 2019

2019 TAB Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival

The 2019 TAB Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival is now underway after being officially launched in Launceston today.

The Summer Racing Carnival is a terrific time for Tasmanians to get trackside, have a great day at the races, and support an industry that sustains thousands of jobs across the State.

The Carnival kicks off with the Simons Design Devonport Cup tomorrow and continues with the 2019 TAB Hobart Cup on Sunday, 10 February and the TAB Launceston Cup on Wednesday, 27 February.

The Hodgman Liberal Government is a strong supporter of the thoroughbred racing and breeding industry in the State, providing a $300,000 commitment to the sector in 2018/19.

I am confident that 2019 will again attract strong interest from local race goers to interstate punters, trainers and owners with just under $4 million up for grabs in prize money.

Tasracing and the host racing clubs – the Devonport Racing Club, the Tasmanian Turf Club and the Tasmanian Racing Club – always deliver an excellent program of racing and entertainment.

The $100,000 Cups Double Bonus will again be offered for any horse that can win both the 2019 Hobart Cup and the 2019 Launceston Cup.

The Cups Double Bonus is a unique initiative that adds an extra level of excitement to the Carnival’s major races and attracts strong interest from high-profile interstate trainers, including in recent years Darren Weir, Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott, Leon Macdonald and Patrick Payne.

Tasmanian horses are expected to be prominent in the Carnival’s feature races after winning approximately 60 per cent, or $2.7 million, of stakes in last year’s Summer Racing Carnival.

The annual Magic Millions sale will be held on Monday, 25 February, which comes after last year’s three-year agreement between Magic Millions, Tasracing and Tasbreeders to conduct the sales between 2019 and 2021.

This commitment sent an important and strong message to the market, both in Tasmania and interstate, while providing certainty that our industry has the backing and support of Magic Millions for a further three years.