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Blacker shows support for night racing 05 / 03 / 2010
ONE of Tasmania's leading trainers John Blacker has thrown his weight behind night thoroughbred racing in Tasmania.
Blacker is gearing up for a new era in Tasmanian racing and believes the concept has merit and is worth backing.
"The decision has already been made to go night racing so I'm going to go with it full bore," Blacker said.
"Night racing is successful in Victoria at MooneeValley and in Sydney so it stands to reason it will be successful here in Tassie."
"If there is one questionable aspect it is with regard to interstate jockeys."
"Tasmania relies heavily on interstate jockeys riding here each week. If we didn't get these jockeys here we pretty much wouldn't be able to race, so as long as there is a plan in place to ensure that happens then I reckon we'll be on a winner," he said.
Tasracing has committed to ensuring the formula for bringing interstate jockeys into the state remains in place.
Blacker said many of the interstate riders who fly into the state have regular track work commitments with some of Victoria's leading trainers and that Thursday night racing in Tasmania would prevent them from riding track work the following Friday mornings.
"I guess the riders who have regular Friday morning commitments interstate will have to make arrangements with the trainers and maybe they can work the following Sunday instead (of the Friday morning)," he said.
Blacker expects the full scale dress rehearsal a week before opening night (April 8) to be "full-on".
"I'm looking forward to night racing. It's something new and provided the lights and everything else is right then we should be able to put on a good show," he said.
"I expect to be trialling a few of mine at the full dress rehearsal trial night and hopefully everything goes smoothly," Blacker said.
Interstate riders with experience under lights at MooneeValley are expected to participate in the Launceston night trials.
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