Jane Howlett,Minister for Racing
In a boost for the racing industry in the North-West, trials will be permitted at the Devonport Showgrounds and Spreyton from 30 May and North-West venues will be included in the Return to Racing Plan from June 13.
Trials had previously only been approved for Elwick, Mowbray and Longford, requiring participants from the North-West to travel in order to bring their racing animals up to race fitness.
Trials will now also be permitted at the Devonport Showgrounds (harness and greyhounds) and Spreyton (gallops) in the final two weeks leading up to the recommencement of race meetings on 13 June.
Furthermore, racing at North-West venues will be included in the Tasmanian industry’s re-start of race meetings on 13 June.
While the resumption of race meetings was previously to have been limited to the tri-code venues of Elwick and Mowbray, racing will now also be permitted to take place at the Devonport Showgrounds and Spreyton.
The resumption of racing on the North-West is a big win for industry participants in the region, who had previously expected to compete in either Launceston or Hobart due to the infection rate in that region of the State.
Following discussions between the Government and Public Health, North-West venues will now also be able to host race meetings, subject to a review and assessment of the Tasmanian COVID-19 situation by Public Health.
The ability to host thoroughbred meetings on the artificial surface at Spreyton will be a bonus, with the Mowbray grass track usually closed for gallops over mid-winter.
This is an important development for the racing industry and will mean that participants from the North-West will not be disadvantaged when racing re-starts on 13 June.
