BOTRA Tas news - Dec 2008
Non-Sky meeting replays now given the go ahead
BOTRA Tas has just been advised that Harness Racing Tasmania CEO Kevin Neilson has confirmed to the satisfaction of the video contractors that there is no impediment within Tote Tasmania's contract with Sky Channel to the re-broadcasting of non-Sky meetings and that these replays can be shown on this website.
We will be accessing material from the recent Burnie and Devonport meetings as quickly as possible so that we can bring these replays to you, but have just ascertained that the subcontractor who records and holds that material is away on holiday until 12 January.
It appears at this stage that the replays of the St Marys meeting to be held tomorrow may be the first to come on stream.
31 Dec 2008
Tasmanian harness racing replays suspended temporarily
BOTRA Tas has today, with great reluctance, temporarily removed all race replays from this website, upon the advice of Harness Racing Tasmania CEO, Kevin Neilson. Seemingly, in the case of meetings which have been broadcast on Sky Channel, Tote Tasmania is obliged under the terms of its contract with Sky Channel to seek approval before those meetings may be re-broadcast. At this point it appears that this requirement has not been formalised. Mr Neilson has further advised that this factor does not come into play in regard to non-Sky meetings, however it seems that Tote Tasmania has yet to advise its contractors of this fact and they, as a consequence, believe they are legally unable to release video footage.
Replays have been a long time coming for Tasmanian harness racing, so another few days is probably not of major importance in the scheme of things, but BOTRA Tas sincerely regrets this further delay. We are hopeful that this matter will be swiftly dealt with so that Tasmanian harness racing can enjoy the same internet exposure as every other State.
30 Dec 2008
2009 Tasmania Premier Standardbred Yearling Sale update
As previously advised, catalogues are available for the 2009 Yearling Sale, as well as a DVD showing footage of most of the yearlings on offer, by contacting Kevin Neilson at Harness Racing Tasmania.
On this site you can view a slideshow of images of yearlings on offer, taken from the DVD.
Mark the date in your calendar - Saturday, 17 January 2009. Yearling parade at 11 am and the sale starts at 1 pm.
27 Dec 2008
Harness racing replays from Burnie delayed
Our first race replays went online following the Devonport meeting on 14 December and were enthusiastically welcomed by the industry, including Harness Racing Tasmania. This free promotion and support of its product is naturally also welcomed by Tote Tasmania, however the company contracted to produce race videos advise that this has yet to be officially conveyed to them. Pending that notification, the company states that it cannot legally release any video footage of the meeting.
We look forward to a speedy resolution of this technicality, allowing Tasmanian harness racing followers to enjoy the same opportunity as other states to view race replays online.
19 Dec 2008
Harness racing radio show to go online
Harness racing enthusiasts in Tasmania are probably aware that they can listen to news and interviews presented by Harness Racing Tasmania's Kevin Neilson at 8.30 each Sunday morning on Tote Sport Radio. Until now, those who were unable to listen to the show at that time unfortunately missed out.
BOTRA Tas is pleased to announce that Tote Sport Radio has agreed to make the programme available for replay via this website, starting from Sunday, 21 December. The show will go online as soon as possible after its radio slot and remain available until replaced by the following week's programme, thus making it available on demand for anyone who missed it, including those in diferent time zones.
BOTRA Tas thanks Tote Sport Radio for making this possible.
19 Dec 2008
BOTRA Tas working to bring you Tasmanian harness racing replays
Starting from the 14 February Devonport Harness Racing Club meeting, BOTRA Tas hopes to bring harness racing fans replays of Tasmanian meetings. The progressive Devonport club has supported our efforts to present replays on its behalf and we hope that other clubs will do likewise over the coming weeks.
Followers of Victorian harness racing have enjoyed this service for a number of years now via the harness.org.au site and a survey showed that this was something which was very much in demand by industry participants and also by the betting public. We believe this is an excellent way of promoting our Tasmanian 'product', thereby increasing Tote turnover and encouraging interest in the sport.
To watch replays, go to Racing Information - Race Replays.
12 Dec 2008
2009 Tasmania Premier Yearling Sale to be held on 17 January
17th January 2009 is an important date for everyone involved - or thinking about becoming involved - in the Tasmanian harness racing industry. The Tasmanian Standardbred Yearling Sale, expertly presented once again by Graeme Board, will be held at Launceston's Inveresk Showground on that day.
Growing year by year, the catalogue for the 2009 sale features 58 quality yearlings. Details can be viewed online here, or you can order your copy of the catalogue by email.
There is also a DVD of yearlings on offer at this year's sale, available by request from Kevin Neilson at Harness Racing Tasmania.
Yearlings can be inspected on the morning of the sale and there will be a yearling parade at 11.00 am, followed by the sale which will commence at 1.00 pm.
Inter-state buyers are eligible for $500 transport assistance, to offset the cost of getting their purchase home.
BOTRA Tas are proud to be involved with this major event and provide a rug for the best presented filly and colt/gelding, as well as a barbecue for breakfast and lunch and refreshments on the day.
8 Dec 2008
BOTRA members - winners at Carrick's first meeting
BOTRA combined with the Carrick Park Pacing Club to promote the latter's first race meeting of the 2008-2009 season by providing a Regal sulky for the winning trainer of one of the races at this twilight meeting. To be eligible to win the sulky, the following criteria applied -
- win any race
- trainer must be a financial member of BOTRA Tas, and
- all owners of the horse must be financial members of BOTRA Tas
The winning trainer was to be drawn from all eligible race winners after the last race, however terrible weather conditions at Carrick on the day resulted in a decision being made to conduct the draw at the Launceston meeting on Sunday, 7th December.
Winning trainers who qualified for the draw for this great prize were Barrie Rattray (with two winners/chances), Brooke Hammond, Brian Mackrill and Adrian Duggan. The draw was duly carried out on 7th December by Chester Bullock and the President of Launceston Pacing Club, with the contenders looking on (pictured).
Brook Hammond (represented by father John) followed up a great win with Strezlecki Time by taking home the sulky.
At the same meeting, a draw was planned for a free service to the Station Station sire Righteous Hanover. Mr Les Joslin, Sales & Marketing Manager of the Stallion Station, spent time recently in Tasmania and is thrilled with the response shown by Tasmanian breeders to the impressive range of stallions standing at the Stallion Station.
This draw was open to all financial members (paid up by 4 pm on Friday, 28 November) and, like the sulky draw, was postponed to a date to be decided because of the atrocious weather conditions.
7 Dec 2008
