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Night racing serving the industry's needs 04 / 03 / 2010
CONCERNS raised by a veteran thoroughbred racing identity in a northern regional newspaper today (Wednesday) over the introduction of night racing in Tasmania made for interesting reading.
Jim Osborne, a recent inductee into the Tasmanian Turf Club's Racing Hall of Fame, made some valid points in his summation of night racing's arrival in Tasmania, suggesting its viability was questionable.
Mr Osborne's concerns are presumed to be that of many industry participants but may be based more on an individual's observations rather than the masses.
A key point in Osborne's assessment was a fear that night racing would result in owners being lost to the industry because they would not be able to watch their horses race "live" at night.
But there is a distinct possibility that more owners may be available beyond 6pm to attend race meetings on a Thursday night than there are on a Sunday afternoon.
When Moonee Valley Racing Club in Victoria began racing at night their member base was not affected and that club's night meetings this season have attracted big crowds and dining packages for owners have been a big winner.
Some of the older owners may reject a trip to Mowbray for a night meeting but it should not deprive an entire industry from seizing an opportunity to tap into global markets.
His point on trainers and stable employees already working long hours is valid but surely working late every other Thursday night and having to rise early for work the next day would be welcomed by most in exchange for the Sunday off.
TTC chief executive officer Robert Biffin is adamant the move to night racing will eventually be a boon for Tasmanian racing.
"The club has been keen to become a part of night racing for some time and getting the lights installed was seen as a major step towards opening up a new funding stream, by way of overseas product fees for our racing product," Biffin said.
"The way to secure a financially viable future for this industry is for Tasmanian racing to become a player in the rapidly growing global market and while there are windows of opportunity there at present, they are closing rapidly so we have to strike soon," Biffin said.
Tasracing CEO Gary Lottering said night racing was an integral part of Tasmanian racing's future.
"Night racing will give the industry an opportunity to position itself for the future and capitalise on revenue streams that might not have been available had we continued on our present path," Lottering said.
"This is all about change. We need to work together to ensure Tasmanian racing gains the maximum benefit from this move that is crucial to our future," he said.
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