Tasracing working to survive
PETER STAPLES
THE decision by the State Government to pull the shutters up on our borders has given Tasmania’s racing industry a fighting chance to survive the global COVID-19 pandemic.
While most other sports have been forced to close shop until further notice, the racing industry has taken all steps to ensure it can continue to operate, albeit at a slightly reduced operating rate.
The governing body, Tasracing, in consultation with the State Government, has put in place measures that will allow Tasmanian race meetings to proceed as close to normal as possible.
“Tasracing has been monitoring the situation and consulting with all relevant authorities to ensure we have the most appropriate responses in place,” Tasracing chief executive Paul Eriksson said.
Banning spectators from attending race meetings has been a hard pill to swallow but there have been no complaints from those affected.
Longford trainer John
Blacker and his team at his Anstey Street stables have taken extreme measures to ensure the doors stay open.
“It is a matter of being vigilant and even though we might only break even during this crisis, as long as we stay open we can keep our people employed and we make sure they are safe while they do their jobs,” Blacker said.
“This is a matter of survival and in this case all the trainers and everyone involved with our world are working together to keep racing going.
“If this industry was to stop for three months it decimate just about business in the state.
“It is in our best interests to do whatever it takes to ensure we stay racing.”
This virus forces governments to make changes by the hour, but the one constant with racing is the unity being shown by its participants.
Racing is the state’s thirdlargest industry, so keeping it alive should be in best the interest of all Tasmanians.
Other states are continuing to race but even if that changes, the ace up Tasmania’s would every
sleeve is the water that surrounds us. Tasmania boasts three greyhound meetings a week — Monday, Tuesday and Thursday — with harness racing either once of or twice a week statewide.
Thoroughbred racing is on Wednesday nights in Launceston for the next two weeks as well as meetings on Good Friday (April 10) and Anzac Day (night) in Launceston.
Thoroughbred racing reverts to Sunday afternoons through to the end of May, alternating between Hobart and Launceston.