The number of Tasmanian harness meetings with unpopular Sky 2 coverage will drop significantly next season in the first step towards rebuilding betting turnover.
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Tasracing has managed to get 16 meetings moved from Sky 2 to Sky 1 in 2019-20, with the long-term aim of virtually eliminating Sky 2 meetings altogether.
Down the track, that could mean a new midweek timeslot.
Sky has also agreed to four Saturday night meetings on Sky 1 next season - double this year's allocation - in another positive development.
Tasracing is negotiating for a fifth meeting in that timeslot which is easily the best of the week.
Tasmanian harness racing was left with a glut of Friday night Sky 2 meetings after an initiative of former CEO Vaughn Lynch backfired.
Many meetings were moved from Sunday nights, where they had Sky 1 coverage, to Friday nights with Sky 2 coverage because that timeslot was considered more participant-friendly.
However it was done on the understanding that the Friday night meetings would eventually be upgraded to Sky 1 coverage.
That didn't happen.
In the meantime, Sky had allocated the vacated Sunday night slots to interstate greyhounds which weren't too keen to give them back when Tasmania changed its mind.
The total turnover on Tasmanian harness racing has suffered as a result.
Poor betting on Friday night Sky 2 meetings has dragged down the overall figure, although some meetings are not as bad as others.
If there are no other 'distractions', such as Moonee Valley gallops or AFL games, punters are prepared to flick over to Sky 2. Otherwise, they won't.
So it remains paramount that Tasmania utilises every Sunday night Sky 1 slot that it possibly can and that's what is happening next season.
Looking further ahead, there may be an opportunity for Tasmania's second meeting each week to take a permanent Tuesday night slot on Sky 1 - if the industry is prepared to embrace that move.
SHORT ODDS FOR TASSIE PACERS
Two Tasmanian pacers are at short odds for rich races at Menangle on Sunday afternoon
The Mick Maxfield-owned Max Delight is at $2.10 with tab.com.au for the $150,000 Breeders Challenge 3YO final.
Bookmakers consider it a two-horse race, with polemarker Lochinvar Art the $1.80 favourite.
The James Rattray-trained Ignatius, raced by Lyrae Rattray, is $2.10 favourite for the $100,000 Breeders Challenge 4YO final.
Max Delight will start from gate 7 if the emergencies don't get a run and Ignatius will come out of barrier 10.