Jeremy Rockliff

Premier of Tasmania



20 April 2014

Jeremy Rockliff, Minister for Racing

Tapeta Park Series to showcase synthetic surface

The Liberal Government is committed to Tasmanian racing and creating a strategic long term plan to grow the industry and make it self-sustaining.

An exciting program of thoroughbred racing is planned over winter with the running of the inaugural Tapeta Series at Spreyton.

In fact all thoroughbred racing will be held at Tapeta Park in August as a result of industry feedback requesting the track be used during the wetter winter months when it performs at its best.

The winter series for stayers and sprinters will showcase Tapeta Park, which is widely regarded as Australia's premier synthetic track.

The Tapeta Series will run as follows:

  • August 10 – Tapeta Sprint Prelude worth $20,000 over 1000 metres
  • August 17 – Tapeta Distance Prelude worth $20,000 over 1650 metres
  • August 24 – Tapeta Sprint Final worth $25,000 over 1150 metres
  • August 31 – Tapeta Distance Final worth $25,000 over 1880 metres

At the same time as the thoroughbred racing focus shifts to Spreyton, Tasracing will be undertaking important maintenance work at Tattersall's Park in Hobart and at The TOTE Racing Centre in Launceston in preparation for the busy summer period.

The Tapeta Series is expected to generate additional interest and greater exposure for the races during what was a traditionally quieter time of year.

The series will also assist programming as it provides suitable targets for both progressive and established gallopers.

The Liberal Government recognises racing injects around $103 million each year into the Tasmanian economy and we want to see its potential grow even further.



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