Tattersalls Park
Encyclopedia
Tattersalls Park is a Thoroughbred
horse-racing venue located on Goodwood Road
within Glenorchy
, Tasmania
, Australia
. It is located in close proximity to the Brooker Highway
, the Hobart Showground
, the Derwent Entertainment Centre
and the Derwent River
. The Racecourse has a picturesque outlook across the river, as well as being dominated by views of Mount Wellington
. Elwick features at least 110 race meetings and 210 trial days a year, but is most famous for hosting the Hobart Cup
.
Tattersalls Park is an approximately egg shaped anti-clockwise circuit with four straight starting lengths, and seven starting positions. These are located at 800m, 1000m, 1200m, 1600m, 2200m, and 2400m. The 2200m start is to the left of the pavilion, meaning the horses pass the crowd at the beginning of the race, and is the start position for the Hobart Cup.
Until the early 1980s there was a drive-in cinema
located within the track. The declining popularity of this form of entertainment led to its removal, although nostalgists have called for its return, although this seems unlikely for commercial reasons.
In 2004 the Tasmanian Government undertook a controversial A$
20 million redevelopment of the venue. The redevelopment involved the construction of a new 970 metre long, 19 metre wide harness
track and a 700 metre long and 6 and a half metre wide track for greyhounds
, as well as a redevelopment of the heritage listed grandstand, new bookmakers area. Lawned areas sweep down to the mounting ring, birdcage and the enclosures. Three public lounges and two dining areas are present in addition to members' facilities.
Thoroughbred horse race
Thoroughbred horse racing is a worldwide sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport: Flat racing and National Hunt racing...
horse-racing venue located on Goodwood Road
Goodwood Road, Tasmania
Goodwood Road is a 4 lane link road that connects the City of Glenorchy to the City of Clarence in the greater area of Hobart, Tasmania. Using the Bowen Bridge the road travels over the Derwent River in semi-highway road layout...
within Glenorchy
City of Glenorchy
The City of Glenorchy is a Local Government Area of Tasmania which covers several northern suburbs of Hobart including the suburb of Glenorchy by the same name. The city is managed by Glenorchy City Council. Current mayor is Stuart Slade.- History :...
, Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. It is located in close proximity to the Brooker Highway
Brooker Highway
The Brooker Highway is a highway in the State of Tasmania, Australia. Also known as the Northern Outlet, the highway is the major arterial route through Hobart's northern suburbs and is Hobart's major road connection to the cities and towns of Northern Tasmania...
, the Hobart Showground
Hobart Showground
The Royal Hobart Showgrounds is the site of the Royal Hobart Show and many other smaller events including a Market on the grounds every Sunday. The Royal Hobart Showground is located 10 km north of Hobart, between the junction to Brooker Highway/Goodwood Road and the Main Road in Glenorchy.-Royal...
, the Derwent Entertainment Centre
Derwent Entertainment Centre
Derwent Entertainment Centre is a multi-purpose arena and is the primary venue, in Hobart, for large indoor functions/events. It was constructed in 1989 and is situated in between the waterfront of the River Derwent, the Brooker Highway and Tattersalls Park.Between 1989 and 1996, it was the home of...
and the Derwent River
Derwent River (Tasmania)
The Derwent is a river in Tasmania, Australia. It was named after the River Derwent, Cumbria by British Commodore John Hayes who explored it in 1793. The name is Brythonic Celtic for "valley thick with oaks"....
. The Racecourse has a picturesque outlook across the river, as well as being dominated by views of Mount Wellington
Mount Wellington (Tasmania)
Mount Wellington is a mountain on whose foothills is built much of the city of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. It is often referred to simply as 'the Mountain' by the residents of Hobart, and it rises to AHD over the city....
. Elwick features at least 110 race meetings and 210 trial days a year, but is most famous for hosting the Hobart Cup
Hobart Cup
The AAMI Hobart Cup is Tasmania's premier Thoroughbred horse race. It is part of the Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival, and is also one of Tasmania's main annual social events. The Cup is usually held on the first or second Monday in February....
.
Tattersalls Park is an approximately egg shaped anti-clockwise circuit with four straight starting lengths, and seven starting positions. These are located at 800m, 1000m, 1200m, 1600m, 2200m, and 2400m. The 2200m start is to the left of the pavilion, meaning the horses pass the crowd at the beginning of the race, and is the start position for the Hobart Cup.
History
Race meets have been conducted at the site since the late 19th century, which was first leased by the TRC in 1874, and later bought by them. Elwick had already developed into a popular venue by the 1880s.Until the early 1980s there was a drive-in cinema
Drive-in theater
A drive-in theater is a form of cinema structure consisting of a large outdoor screen, a projection booth, a concession stand and a large parking area for automobiles. Within this enclosed area, customers can view movies from the privacy and comfort of their cars.The screen can be as simple as a...
located within the track. The declining popularity of this form of entertainment led to its removal, although nostalgists have called for its return, although this seems unlikely for commercial reasons.
In 2004 the Tasmanian Government undertook a controversial A$
Australian dollar
The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
20 million redevelopment of the venue. The redevelopment involved the construction of a new 970 metre long, 19 metre wide harness
Harness racing
Harness racing is a form of horse racing in which the horses race at a specific gait . They usually pull a two-wheeled cart called a sulky, although racing under saddle is also conducted in Europe.-Breeds:...
track and a 700 metre long and 6 and a half metre wide track for greyhounds
Greyhound racing
Greyhound racing is the sport of racing greyhounds. The dogs chase a lure on a track until they arrive at the finish line. The one that arrives first is the winner....
, as well as a redevelopment of the heritage listed grandstand, new bookmakers area. Lawned areas sweep down to the mounting ring, birdcage and the enclosures. Three public lounges and two dining areas are present in addition to members' facilities.