KING Island’s iconic race season is in jeopardy due to a shortage of gallopers and pacers, trainers and on ground supports.
King Island Racing Club president Audrey Hamer said to proceed with the coming racing season, there would need to be 18 gallopers for a minimum of three races per meet, and 12 pacers for two races per meet.
At present, there were 10 gallopers and 12 pacers able to race here, Ms Hamer said. She said the racing club was willing and able to go ahead this year but would have no choice but to cancel the upcoming season unless more horses could be confirmed. Ms Hamer has received messages of support and indications that some horses may be available from Victoria.
“Trainers have been asked to try and source more horses and confirm how many will be available to race here for the season. Cut off day is September 1. “We have had offers of sending horses across for free. “The cost to transport a horse from Victoria is $1500 to $1600.
“Lack of horses is the first of the hurdles that the race club must cross. Ms Hamer said if a horse was “race ready” it would need to be on the island at least a week before the November trials and they would need to complete at least one trial. This involved cost. “If a horse is sent earlier, it will require a trainer and stable hands,” she said. “The lack of trainers and stable hands puts racing in a desperate situation.”
The Racing Club cannot do without horses, however the number of island owners and trainers has dramatically reduced, and horses need to be prepared for the race meets. Over the past few years, trainers have retired and left the island. Some retired trainers have kept their licences. “One proposition is that others who meet requirements could operate under these,” Ms Hamer said.
“We have also considered bringing resources to the island such as trainers and ground support and offer ‘satellite’ meets.”“This would require financial support for wages, accommodation and similar. “We have not had much success calling for local people to assist as stable hands.
“Trainers’ insurance requires that stable hands undertake a simple TAFE certification. “The role is not hard, but it is critical. I have asked TasRacing to look at the requirements. “We will also need ground support on race days, for example in the mounting yards. “We are pleading to the public and beyond to put their hands up to help ASAP otherwise we have no choice but to cancel the upcoming season.”
Racing Minister Madeleine Ogilvie said the Government and Tasracing would continue to support and offer practical help it can to make sure the season proceeds. “We understand the importance of racing on King Island and the financial and social benefits it provides to the local community,” she said. “I have personally reached out to the club and we will use all endeavours to assist the King Island Racing Club to get this year’s season off the ground. “Through Tasracing, funding is provided annually towards prize money, jockey and driving fees and other operational costs to support the King Island Racing Club. “In 2020/21, approximately $270,000 was provided by Tasracing to support racing on King Island.
“The 2021/22 racing season was impacted due to Covid and only two meetings were held before the season was cancelled. “Tasracing provided a subsidy payment of $1,600 per horse to trainers on King Island,” Ms Ogilvie said. If these immediate issues can be solved, the Racing Club will then need to face the recurring issue of securing jockeys. In recent years jockeys have come from Victoria and there is difficulty attracting Tasmanian jockeys.
This has baffled the Race Club as while the purse is not big, fees, and all costs and expenses are paid. King Island’s racing season has had a tough 12 months with last year’s 130th season badly affected by Covid after the reopening of the state’s borders, resulting in the cancellation of most of the season, including the King Island Cup scheduled for January 22.