Tasmania punches above its weight when it comes to horse racing in the state and there always seems to be a couple of runners earning their stripes in the top grade.

With the ease of travel now available to trainers more and more horses are making the trip across the Bass Strait and gaining experience in the major carnivals.

This has a flow on effect with the quality of racing back at home and in recent years we’re even starting to see that flow reversed.

Now days it isn’t uncommon to see horses from South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales heading to Tasmania with connections looking to cash in on increased prize money.

This has been fabulous for the local industry and don’t be surprised to see more winners coming out of the ‘Apple Aisle’ in the future.

Tasmania has three home grown Group races, all of them during the Tasmanian summer racing carnival.

This carnival is run in January and February across their two racing hubs.

Launceston Racecourse is run by the Tasmanian Turf Club and Hobart Racecourse is run by the Tasmanian Racing Club.

Hobart has the rights to two of the Group races, the Group 3 Tasmanian Derby and the Group 3 Hobart Cup.

Two weeks after the Hobart Cup comes the Group 3 Launceston Cup and the conclusion of the carnival.

With greater investment in prize money and resources, including a brand new all weather surface, expect Tasmanian Racing to go from strength to strength over the coming years.