RACE dates for all three racing codes in Tasmania have been finalised for the 2017/18 racing season following extensive consultation with industry.
The schedule provides for:
- No reduction in the number of race meetings – 65 thoroughbred meetings, 82 harness meetings and 161 greyhound meetings.
- Moving the Luxbet Hobart Cup back to its traditional Regatta Day weekend time slot of Sunday 11 February 2018.
- Running the Luxbet Launceston Cup on Wednesday 28 February 2018.
- Twenty thoroughbred night racing meetings to commence on Wednesday 27 September 2017 and conclude on Wednesday 28 March 2018.
- Alongside the traditional Sunday evening time slot, 29 Friday night harness meetings have been scheduled.
- Hobart will host the harness Australian Drivers Championship on Saturday 28 October 2017.
- The harness Tasmania Cup meeting has been scheduled for Friday 22 December 2017 in a prime time slot on Sky 1.
- The Hobart Thousand final for greyhounds will be held on Thursday 21 December 2017.
- Traditional Monday night (Launceston Greyhound Racing Club), Tuesday daytime (North West Greyhound Racing Club) and Thursday night (Hobart Greyhound Racing Club) meetings will be maintained throughout 2017/18.
- Eleven country race meetings in 2017/18.
- The King Island Racing Club has been allocated seven race dates for 2017/18.
Tasracing chief executive officer Vaughn Lynch said the race dates, which were still subject to Sky Channel approval, had been finalised after consultation with Tasmanian racing clubs.
“Consultation started with the clubs in early January this year,” he said.
“Wherever possible we have worked to accommodate club requests, while at the same time optimising wagering revenue and ensuring meetings attract and maintain significant community support,” he said.