THE Tasmanian Racing Club’s decision to switch its premier race to a Sunday has been hailed a huge success.
A crowd of over 13,000 rolled into Tattersall’s Park for what was one of the best AAMI Hobart Cups on record.
For the past seven years the meeting has been held on Regatta Day (Monday) but the club was keen to try the Sunday and many who attended the Cup were delighted with the move.
With a field to rival any previous Cup and an array of interstate riders that would be considered commonplace on any metropolitan racetrack in Australia, Tasmanian racing took centre stage and delivered the goods.
TOTE turnover on the day was up about two per cent on the previous year but given there were so many more meetings to contend with it was a huge result for both the club and the state.
Cup winner Bid Spotter was the first NSW owned and trained horse to win the AAMI Hobart Cup since Tommy Smith prepared Powerful Prince to win the 1982 Cup, although the horse was owned by Tasmanian’s Shirley Jennings and her late husband Gordon.
Even this year’s winner had a Tasmanian flavour as one of the part-owners Mark Tylyard was born and raised in Launceston before seeking his fame and fortune in Sydney.
The Myer Fashions on the Field competition was fiercely competitive and it was local Yasmin Maskiell, wife of top Tasmanian jockey Stephen Maskiell, who emerged triumphant wearing an outfit that she designed and was made by a friend.
Star Tasmanian galloper Conquering stole the show on the track by winning his third weight-for-age Thomas Lyons.
David Pires was the only Tasmanian jockey to ride in the Hobart Cup and after finishing second on local horse Organised he said he was now looking forward to progressing to the AAMI Launceston Cup in 10 days.