Jane Howlett,Minister for Racing
The interests of racing industry participants have been top of mind for Tasracing during previous and most recent discussions around the immediate future of harness and greyhound racing on the North West Coast. The Government and Tasracing will continue to support racing in the region and will ensure that local participants are not adversely impacted during the transition out of the Devonport Showground site.
Tasracing's lease with the Devonport Agricultural Pastoral Society (DAPS) to conduct harness and greyhound racing and trials will now be extended to 25 March 2022.
Tasracing had previously agreed to vacate the Devonport Showground facility by 1 March 2022. But following recent discussions between Tasracing, the developer and DAPS, Tasracing has reached an agreement that this date will be extended.
Importantly, this extension will allow for an orderly transition out of the site. A subsidy program is currently being finalised when racing is relocated to other parts of the State during this transition period. The subsidy will only apply to licensed trainers and drivers residing in the North West who are participating in a transferred race meeting or trial session. Details will be announced as soon as possible.
It means that the last harness race meeting at the showgrounds will be on Sunday 20 March 2022 while the last greyhound meeting will be on Tuesday 22 March 2022.
Of the four scheduled harness meetings, all have been moved to Launceston. Of the 18 greyhound meetings, eight have been moved to Launceston and 10 to Hobart.
Timing of harness and greyhound trials will be agreed upon with the respective clubs. It is expected that harness trials will be held at Carrick and greyhound trials will continue at Hobart and Launceston.
All meetings past 31 July will be agreed through the normal programming process.
For a full list of meeting changes go to https://tasracingcorporate.com.au/2022/02/16/devonport-showgrounds-greyhound-and-harness-racing-update/
