The decision to move thoroughbred racing to Tapeta Park at Spreyton exclusively during August has paid off on a number of fronts.
The winter series of five races in August not only showcased Tapeta Park’s synthetic track to a national audience via Sky Channel but also saw wagering turnover increase by 17 per cent compared to the same five race meetings held there last year.
The August scheduling included one Saturday meeting on 22 August.
The race meetings were well supported by owners and trainers.
The move to Spreyton allowed important maintenance works to be undertaken on thoroughbred tracks in Hobart and Launceston in preparation for the busy summer period.
The Tapeta Park track was originally installed to allow greater flexibility with race programming during the wetter winter months of the year.
The key advantage of the synthetic track is it provides a back-up venue and gives the industry confidence that races can be run as scheduled.
This year Tapeta Park hosted seven meetings in a row in August and September.
After the five August races, the Tasmanian Racing Club meeting on September 6 was transferred to Devonport because of wet weather in Hobart which was followed by a scheduled meeting at Devonport on September 13.
Jeremy Rockliff, Minister for Racing
