North American racing trialled on TAB TV

July 27, 2011

North American racing trialled on TAB TV

TAB TV will broadcast thoroughbred racing from North America as part of a three-month trial in association with global broadcast partner At The Races.

From July 29 TAB TV will exclusively broadcast races from selected United States and Canadian tracks including Saratoga, Colonial Downs and Woodbine.

Coverage will run from approximately 8am-midday on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during the trial period, with an estimated four races every hour.

Betting channels will be available to TAB account customers via www.tab.co.nz, m.tab.co.nz, TouchTone and Phonebet (from 8.30am), with options limited to win, place, quinella and trifecta betting. Retail outlets will open during normal hours.

Field and form information will be available at www.tab.co.nz each day before the weekend’s North American racing commences.

“We believe the broadcast of North American racing will be an exciting and interesting addition to the racing schedule,” said New Zealand Racing Board General Manager Wagering, Racing and Sport Martin Saunders.

“We think punters will enjoy following some racing out of the US – it’ll be something a little different to what they’re used to.”

Saunders said the NZ Racing Board would assess punter interest in the US racing broadcast following the three-month trial, with a view to making it a regular feature in the schedule if merited.

First Call, usually broadcast on TAB TV, will switch to Trackside (channel 36) during the trial.

Meanwhile, star Kiwi harness driver Dexter Dunn’s World Driving Championship campaign will be covered in the United States by Trackside presenter Jess Davidson.

Dunn takes on the world’s best harness drivers in the 25th edition of the championship – a 20-heat event featuring the world’s 10 best reinsmen.
Racing at tracks including Monticello, Meadowlands and Tioga Downs from August 1-6, Dunn’s campaign will be closely followed by Davidson from New York, with full reports and race footage on Trackside throughout.

The TAB will offer Fixed Odds Betting on the championship from Sunday.

ENDS

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