For the first time ever, five Canadian racetracks will be broadcast globally, over the span of one week, to thousands of betting outlets on the other side of the world.
With the 2017 World Driving Championship and World Trotting Conference taking place this coming week across Canada, Standardbred Canada and its partners, have worked hard to ensure positive long-term outcomes from the event. One of the payoffs is the international distribution of racing products from Century Downs, Mohawk Racetrack, Georgian Downs, Hippodrome 3R and Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at Charlottetown Driving Park.
All five legs of the World Driving Championship will be broadcast throughout Australia via Sky Racing Australia, and in New Zealand through Trackside New Zealand. This will represent the first time that these networks will simulcast Canadian racing outside of Woodbine and Mohawk tracks.
Tabcorp wagering will be available across its 2800 betting venues and digital assets, which includes the TAB website and the TAB application. The Championship will be available between 8:00 am and 1:00 pm Australian Eastern Standard time (AEST) and between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm New Zealand Standard time (NZST).
Separate tote betting will be offered through the Tabcorp pari-mutuel wagering platform, meaning that money will not show up in the pari-mutuel pools of the Canadian tracks. In addition, fixed odds markets will be available on all World Driving Championship races.
“There is a strong appetite for top class harness racing within Australia and New Zealand,” said Simon Di Bartolomeo, Regional International Manager, Tabcorp Holdings Ltd. “This series will hold of greater significance in Australia and New Zealand with defending WDC champion, New Zealander Dexter Dunn, competing in the championship,”
“This is a fantastic example of how co-operation and planning can help expand our product globally,” said Darryl Kaplan, Standardbred Canada’s Manager of Communications. “We have five Canadian tracks that will be broadcast into homes on the other side of the world. With the great support of Woodbine Entertainment, all of our Canadian track partners, our international partners, and Trackmaster, we are delighted to offer wagering on the WDC in Australia and New Zealand.
“At the upcoming World Trotting Conference, we will talk about international growth opportunities for Canadian harness racing,” said Kaplan. “To put this into action before the WTC kicks off is an important demonstration of how partnership and cooperation can produce a stronger industry here, and abroad.”