Tasracing has submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) for a slot for the TAB Eureka, the world’s richest harness race.
The inaugural running of the 2300m race will be at Menangle on 2 September 2023.
It is important to note that lodgement of the EOI does not commit Tasracing to purchasing a slot, rather the expression of interest will provide time for industry consultation to occur via the September Harness Industry Forum (HIF).
In the meantime, Tasracing has already discussed the issue with harness club presidents and BOTRA Harness Tasmania.
Tasracing believes that participation in The TAB Eureka may deliver a number of benefits for the Tasmanian harness industry. These include:
- Growing standardbred breeding quality to assist to achieve true national competitiveness.
- Significant financial incentives for local participants.
- Attraction of new, and maintenance of, existing participants and investors in the code.
- Enhancing the credibility and respect of Tasmanian harness racing among a wider audience (through highly visible promotion of Tasracing’s participation).
Though early days in the process, and still to be finalised by Tasracing and informed by consultation with industry, Tasracing is considering the implications of running a qualifying series (for the slot), restricted to Tasbred three and four-year-old horses if a slot were to be purchased by Tasracing.
Tasracing understands there is some industry concern surrounding possible implications of the stallion levy on Tasmanian breeding and acknowledges some participants may not support involvement in the Eureka as a result. However, Tasracing believes there may be broader and positive implications for the overall industry that need to be discussed during consultation with the industry.
Further information will be provided when available via HIF in September.