THE Tasmanian Pacing Club’s prestigious Group 1 Wrest Point Tasmania Cup has been changed from a standing start discretionary handicap to a mobile start.
The decision to revert back to a mobile start was based on a number of issues but primarily to increase betting turnover on the state’s only grand circuit event.
For just over a decade the race was a mobile free-for-all (1990-2001) with the draw based on preferential lifetime earnings but it was switched to a standing start discretionary for the 2000-01 season and won by the Tasmanian-owned and trained Prodigious.
The race also incurred a name change from the Tasmania Pacing Championship to the Tasmania Cup but one constant has been its Group 1 status.
“The club has taken a number of factors into consideration when making the decision to change,” said club CEO John Devereux.
“One of the major factors was betting turnover, as it has become clear that punters prefer mobile start races to stands.”
“The Club is conscious of the increasing need to put on a product that is capable of producing the best betting outcome for the industry,’ he said.
In reverting to a mobile start, the draw will be done on a group preferential basis with the six highest stake winners drawing barrier 7 to 12 and the lowest six earners drawing 1 to 6.
“Another factor was one of fairness to all horses in the race. The group preferential draw will encourage those with a young up and coming horse to nominate knowing that they will draw the front line.”
“With a dozen horses off the front in last year’s race, the eventual winner Bettors Strike started off handicap of 20 metres and that horse actually got an advantage at the start as he was racing in “clear air” in the early stages while others scrambled to negotiate a clear passage,” he said..
This year’s race will be run on Boxing Day and the club expects a huge turnout.
“There are some program changes that in our view will add significantly to the quality and evenness of the fields on our big race night,” Devereux said.
“We have moved the final and consolation of the Eric Reece Memorial to December 26, which will ensure that we have another two races of real quality and depth.”
The Eric Reece final will carry prize money of $10,000 (up $2000) and the Consolation final will boast an $8000 purse with the heats to be run three weeks before the final on December 5.
Other feature races on the night include the $50,000 Betfair George Johnson for mares, the $20,000 SEW Eurodrive Tasmanian Guineas and a heat of the Tazwaste Hobart Pacing Cup.
Devereux is confident this year’s Tasmania Cup meeting should be one of the best ever held in the state.
The barrier draw for the Wrest Point Tasmania Cup will be held at a live Sport 927 breakfast/broadcast on the morning of Tuesday, December 21.
“The live radio broadcast that is aired nationally will be a tremendously exciting event with the focus being on Tasmania,” he said.