Racing: Sky's the limit!

Sky Racing’s inaugural broadcast of the Port Hedland Cup would have generated priceless exposure for the town, according to Turf Club treasurer Arnold Carter.

For the first time in its 104-year history Monday’s Hedland Cup was broadcast live across Australia and into parts of Asia on Sky2.

Mr Carter said an approach to Sky Racing was made earlier this year after Racing and Wagering WA expressed a desire to increase coverage of major meetings from the State’s north-west venues.

He said the Turf Club spent about $5000 upgrading its facilities to cater for the broadcast, including the installation of new camera towers.

“There was a lot of planning for this. We’ve been trying to get the race broadcast for 30 years so it’s huge,” Mr Carter said. “The exposure the club and Port Hedland in general would have got will be priceless.”

TAB corporate affairs general manager Nicholas Tzaferis said Monday’s meet was broadcast nationally into more than 5000 TAB outlets, pubs and clubs across Australia. “It also means thousands of people would have had access to it in their homes,” Mr Tzaferis said. “It is great news for Port Hedland Turf Club and the trainers and jockeys that participated in the meeting.”

Outside Australia, Mr Tzaferis said punters in Sri Lanka and Paupa New Guinea were able to have a wager on the Cup and the vision was broadcast throughout Asia.