New Racing Minister Sarah Courtney has announced community infrastructure grants totalling $1 million to be shared by race clubs over the next four years.
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Ms Courtney has also revealed that the government has removed what was known as an “efficiency dividend” from Tasracing that will allow an extra $300,000 a year to be invested back into the industry.
“The community grants will help clubs around Tasmania build the infrastructure they need on the ground to support them,” she said.
Ms Courtney has spent her first four months as Racing Minister meeting clubs around the state and was guest of the Launceston Pacing Club and Launceston Chamber Of Commerce at a function at Mowbray on Friday night.
“Meeting the clubs has solidified in my mind why racing is so important to Tasmania,” she said.
“It has an amazing economic impact for the wider community but what I’ve found most important is the social vibrance it creates in so many communities.
“I’m positive about the future.
“I acknowledge that we have had challenges across the industry but I’m absolutely committed to supporting the racing industry across the three codes.”
NEWITT AWAY
Craig Newitt has had to forego his rides at Elwick on Wednesday due to commitments at Grafton.
Newitt had been booked for six horses at the Hobart meeting that was postponed from Sunday due to the state of the track.
He will ride at the Grafton carnival on Wednesday and Thursday.
His feature rides are Reneged in the $160,000 Grafton Cup, Siegfried in the $160,000 Ramornie Handicap and Chalmers in the $80,000 Grafton Guineas.
PENALTY REDUCED
Bookmaker and harness owner Stephen Walters has had partial success at the Racing Appeal Board.
Stewards disqualified Walters for 12 months and fined him $4000 for laying his own horses on Betfair
The Appeal Board cut the penalty to a four-month disqualification but did not reduce the fine.
Evidence presented at his appeal showed that Walters won about $4000 from laying his own horses in races between January and September last year.
MOWBRAY SKY 1
The Launceston Pacing Club will have Sky 1 coverage for most of its meeting at Mowbray on Wednesday night.
Only races 3 and 5 will be on Sky 2.
Tasracing will also live stream the meeting, with a full coverage hosted by Duncan Dornauf.
It will be the first of four Wednesday night meetings during July and August, with two each in Launceston and Hobart.
