Racing industry says shutdown came as complete surprise

The state’s $100 million a year racing industry was completely surprised at the shut down in April due to the coronavirus lockdown an inquiry has heard, as the State Government comes under scrutiny for its handling of the pandemic. LATEST >>

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THE abrupt shutdown of the state’s racing codes had come as a complete surprise to the industry, a parliamentary committee has heard.

The Public Accounts Committee has heard evidence from the heads of gallops, trots and greyhound clubs.

Racing in the state was halted from April 2 and recommenced in mid-June.

Harness trainers in Hobart on Sunday night will receive a $200 bonus for every starter they have at the meeting. SUPPLIED

Tasmanian Racing Club chair Andrew Scanlon said there was no warning of — or consultation before — the government’s decision.

“It was a complete surprise to us,” he said.

“We had no indication. Nobody in the industry was forewarned. I would have thought they would have given the industry a period to get ready for a shutdown.

“We ended up being shut down without notice.”

Mr Scanlon said the decision had affected the confidence of owners, who had pulled back from investment and racing syndicates which were now concerned about sending horses to the state.

“We really haven’t been given a very thorough explanation about why we were shut down,” he said.

“We haven’t been given a proper explanation and all other jurisdictions throughout Australia kept racing.

“I don’t know what was known here to health officers that wasn’t known throughout the country.”

He called for a review of TasRacing and a boost to stakes money to help the industry.

Greyhound trainers from around the country have been putting their dogs through their paces ahead of the July Winter Carnival at Grafton Greyhound Racing Club.

Graeme Barber from the Hobart Greyhound Racing Club said the shutdown came as trainers were on their way to a race meeting.

“The Premier allowed brothels to stay open until midnight that night, but shut us down on the way to the racetrack.”

Tasmanian Trotting Club CEO Steve Devereux said he too was blindsided by the decision.

“We were informed by social media and people ringing in and asking what was going on,” he told the committee.

“We had nothing official until the Premier’s press conference that afternoon.

“There was nothing really in the lead-up that gave us any indication we were about to be shut down. My wife rang me and said ‘are you watching this?”

Mr Devereux said he understood COVID-19 had caused widespread economic damage and the racing industry was not going to be immune, despite some government assistance

“We’re realists, we know we’re not going to come out of this with a rose in every vase in our house,” he said.

Racing Minister Jane Howlett said the decision to halt racing was taken on the advice of public health officials and was not made lightly.

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