His appearance is a coup for Tasracing which has also booked former top rider and media personality Simon Marshall to be guest speaker at the opening night dinner.

Oliver's manager, Mark Van Triet, said yesterday that the jockey would have four or five rides at the meeting.

"I've already organised most of them - he will be riding Captain Chaos for Charlie Goggin, Slow Talkin Walker for Michael Trinder, Lipseoni for Elesha Spillane and another horse for Bill Ryan," Van Triet said.

"We might take one more but that will be about it."

Oliver, 37, is no stranger to the Mowbray track, having won the Launceston Cup on King's Landing in 1998 and Streak in 1999.

He rode at two meetings during this year's Launceston Cup carnival, finishing second on Cuddles For Naara in the Gold Sovereign and second on Strike The Tiger in the Magic Millions.

He was to have ridden hot favourite De Fine Lago in the Launceston Cup but the horse was a late scratching.

Tasracing will officially launch night racing with a breakfast function at the Launceston's Country Club Tasmania next Thursday. Sport 927's breakfast show team of Michael Christian, Tony Jones and Mick McGuane will broadcast live from the venue.

A new $6 million lighting system at Mowbray, funded by Tote Tasmania, was unveiled last week with a session of barrier trials and earned positive reviews.

There are 40 towers holding 700 lights.

Tasracing and the Tasmanian Turf Club plan to "export" night racing to overseas countries, mainly in Asia, and generate revenue through product fees and commissions on betting turnover.

There will be three night meetings before a winter recess then from September all TTC meetings except the Launceston Cup, will be run under lights.