Tasracing launches 22-meeting Launceston night season

Tasracing launched its 2026/27 night-racing season at Launceston on Wednesday, beginning a 22-meeting program that runs until the end of April.

The schedule includes 12 Friday-night meetings and starts a fortnight earlier than last season. Hosted coverage through the Tasracing Live stream will be available for every night fixture; selected meetings will also be broadcast on Sky Thoroughbred Central and Racing.com.

The Tasmanian Newmarket, Conquering Stakes, Launceston Guineas and Tasmanian Oaks are among the races programmed under lights.

The first major fixture is on Friday, November 20, when the Listed $150,000 Tasmanian Newmarket shares the card with the $150,000 3YO Cup. The 3YO Cup will carry Listed status for the first time, while the meeting will launch the Tasmanian Summer Racing Festival.

That card is one of five Tasmanian meetings added to Racing.com’s schedule for the final quarter of 2026. Launceston night meetings on September 25, October 2 and October 9 will also be shown by the free-to-air broadcaster.

The Tasmanian Turf Club has received 26 of the state’s 61 thoroughbred meetings for 2026/27, including 22 night fixtures and the traditional New Year’s Day meeting at Longford. The statewide total is four fewer than the 65 meetings staged in 2025/26.

Tasracing allocated 23 meetings to the Tasmanian Racing Club and 12 to the Devonport Racing Club. Devonport’s program includes the $125,000 Ladbrokes Devonport Cup at Spreyton on January 6.