TASMANIAN horses have proven again that they can match it with the best from interstate with over 80 per cent ($2.36 million) of the 2016 Betfair Exchange Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival (TSRC) stakes won by horses bred, owned and or trained in the state.
Tasracing chief executive officer Dr Eliot Forbes said this was broadly in line with last year’s result when $2.2 million of carnival stakes stayed in Tasmania for the benefit of the industry and the economy.
“The carnival was again very competitive,” Dr Forbes said.
“The racing throughout the carnival was excellent and demonstrated, once again, that Tasmanian-bred and trained horses can compete against interstate horses that target our carnival.
“Only five of the feature races were won by interstate horses.”
Dr. Forbes said leading trainer Chris Waller visited Tasmania for the first time and won the Strutt Stakes for three-year-old fillies with Sebring Sally.
“I Love It just failed in her attempt to win back-to-back Bow Mistress’s before winning the Vamos Stakes,.
“Leading interstate trainers Gai Waterhouse, Robert Smerdon, Mick Kent, Patrick Payne, Peter Moody and Robbie Griffiths were all represented at the carnival this summer.”
Dr. Forbes said it was pleasing to note that Tasmanian horse Up Cups won both the Hobart and Launceston Cups, collecting the $100,000 UBET Cups Double Bonus.
“Admiral’s win in the UBET George Adams Plate for the second year in a row was also an outstanding achievement.
Dr. Forbes said there were 11 race meetings in 2016 between 8 January and 24 February that comprised 92 races for prize money totaling $2.9 million.
Dr. Forbes said the 2015-16 TSRC was a success from every perspective.
“Events like the TSRC do not succeed by accident,” he said.
“A lot of hard work by many people – both within Tasracing and the host clubs – contributed to the overall success of the carnival.”
Dr. Forbes also thanked the sponsors – in particular Betfair Exchange and UBET.