Even 'the King' turns it on for the trots

THERE are many remote racetracks across the globe, but this one takes the cake . . . or rather, the cheese.

That’s because few tracks are quite as remote as King Island, which hosted their first of seven proposed dual-code meetings last weekend.

King Island is located in the middle of Bass Strait between Australia’s mainland and Tasmania’s far north-west coast and is famous for its world-class golf courses, cheese, beef and crayfish.

I am fortunate enough to be calling the action on King Island this season, and Saturday was my first time to the island.

I boarded a flight from Launceston with stewards, several jockeys, thoroughbred barrier attendants (who also double up as harness drivers), bookmaker and a judge for fashions on the field.

There was also a flight from Victoria with jockeys and essential raceday staff.

After arriving on the island we were transported to the track, where the stewards and several jockeys prepared for their day, while the rest of us headed into the island’s main centre, Currie, and straight to the local bakery to try the famous King Island Crayfish Pie.

Back to the track we went, where two harness and five thoroughbred races made up the seven-race card.

King Island had off-track wagering through Tote Tasmania, but the meetings have been non-tab since the sale of Tote Tasmania in 2012.

For each harness race the track staff jump on a four-wheel motorbike and run around the track placing marker cones out a couple of metres off the thoroughbred running rail.

This year is one of the biggest in recent years for the harness code, with at least 20 pacers on the island.

Dylan Ford, Adrian Collins, Wade Rattray and Tim Yole flew in to drive at the club’s first meeting, but a large portion of the driving ranks were locals, including 18-year-old Kayleb Williams, who won at his first race drive on Saturday.

Local trainers prepare the horses while they’re on the island after they arrive by boat.

Sometimes a bit of the local produce is thrown in just to secure the deal.

The horses will either head back to mainland Tasmania or mainland Australia after the season.

Others will head to the spelling paddock and prepare for next year’s summer racing season.

After the last race, it is back to the airport for the flight home, and many had a crayfish or two to take home, while the bookmaker's bag looked a bit bigger than it did on the way over.

There is a host of things to do and see while on King Island, with flights departing Tullamarine and Moorabbin Airport in Victoria, as well as Burnie, Launceston and Hobart airports in Tasmania.

The voluntary-run King Island Racing Club has taken a hit of sponsorship income as many businesses are being extra cautious on their spending due to COVID-19 and the club are happy to tailor a sponsorship package for those interested.

Racing continues this Saturday, then again on Boxing Day, January 2 (Cup Day), January 9, 23 and 30.

More details can be found on the club's website at www.kingislandracingclub.com.

 - DUNCAN DORNAUF