WHEN thoroughbred racing in Tasmania was switched from Saturdays to Sundays nine years ago few believed the move would be a fruitful exercise.
However, Sunday racing took off and so successful was the move, interstate clubs cottoned on to the idea and today we have wall-to-wall racing on the day of the Sabbath.
On Saturday thoroughbred racing returns to Hobart with the Tasmanian Racing Club to host a seven-race card that includes the Winzenberg Handicap (1100m) which boasts a field that would rival most open handicap sprints on the calendar.
TRC chief executive Mike Wisby says the club is looking forward to revisiting Saturday racing.
“I think a lot of people will make the effort to come out to Tattersall’s Park just because the meeting is being held on a Saturday,” Wisby said.
“It is the traditional day for thoroughbred racing and even though we are well established with Sundays I’m sure there are a lot of traditionalists who will be keen to come to the track this Saturday,” he said.
This Saturday’s Elwick meeting will coincide with good programs in Melbourne and Sydney and the cards in Adelaide and Brisbane also boast some lead-ups to feature races.
Punters will be treated to great racing at Tattersall’s Park with the Winzenberg and the Premium Class Four Handicap worthy of a place on a feature race day during the upcoming summer carnival.
Star four-year-old mare Bel Price and her archrival Black ‘N’ Tough headline the Winzenburg but others including Banca Mo, Bionic Star, Punctuate, and Good Boy
Robert will insure it is one of the most keenly contested races this season.
The Premium Class 4 over 1200 metres will see the clash of Buzzing Along, Man From Mars, Three Crowns and Heartbreak Lass
Buzzing Along is heading towards the Group 3 Bow Mistress and Listed Vamos Stakes feature double during the carnival so this is more a stepping stone or her.
But Man From Mars will be out to atone for his dismal showing on the grass surface that hyphenated two emphatic wins on the synthetic track at Devonport recently.
Three Crowns has been a revelation this season having returned from a leg injury that required stem cell treatment. She has won two of her three starts and will be hard to beat in this race.
Heartbreak Lass is a winner on the track and her effort to finish third in Launceston last start was outstanding.
Add to the mix the Charlie Goggin and Luella Meaburn-trained Tap It In and the race looms as a cracker.
The support card also is packed full of talent and all races will be shown on Sky 1 with the first scheduled to start at 11.15 and the last at 3.14.