Elwick Racecourse facts for kids
The Elwick Racecourse and Derwent Entertainment Centre at dusk from Elwick Bay
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| Location | Glenorchy, Tasmania |
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| Coordinates | 42°49′25″S 147°17′13″E / 42.82361°S 147.28694°E |
| Owned by | Tasmanian Racing Club |
| Date opened | 1874 |
| Course type | Flat |
| Notable races | Hobart Cup |
Elwick Racecourse is a famous place in Glenorchy, Tasmania, Australia. It's where horse races happen! Sometimes it's called Ladbrokes Park Elwick because of a company that helps support it.
This racecourse is near the River Derwent and has amazing views of Mount Wellington. Every year, there are over 100 race meetings and many practice days. The most exciting event held here is the Hobart Cup.
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The Racecourse Track
Elwick Racecourse has a special shape, a bit like an egg. Horses run around it in an anti-clockwise direction. This means they run to their left.
The track has different starting points for races of various lengths. These include 800 meters, 1000 meters, 1200 meters, 1600 meters, 2200 meters, and 2400 meters. For the big Hobart Cup race, horses start at the 2200-meter mark. This starting point is near the main building, so the crowd can see the horses right from the beginning!
A Look Back: Elwick's History
Horse races have been held at Elwick since the late 1800s. The Tasmanian Racing Club first rented the land in 1874. Later, they bought it. By the 1880s, Elwick was already a very popular spot for racing fans.
The Elwick Drive-In Cinema
Did you know Elwick once had a drive-in cinema? It was called the Elwick Drive-In and was the first of its kind in Tasmania. It opened on September 27, 1956. People could drive their cars in and watch movies on a big screen! It had space for 676 cars.
The drive-in was taken over by another company in 1968. It stayed open until March 1985. Over time, people became less interested in drive-in cinemas. By 2004, all signs of the Elwick Drive-In were gone.
Modern Upgrades: The 2000s Redevelopment
In 2004, the Tasmanian Government spent $20 million to make Elwick Racecourse even better. This big project added new tracks for other types of racing.
There's now a 970-meter track for harness racing. In harness racing, horses pull a driver in a two-wheeled cart. There's also a 700-meter track for greyhound racing, where dogs race. The old grandstand, a historic building, was also updated. New grassy areas, public lounges, and dining spots were added for visitors.
The racecourse's name has changed a few times over the years. It was called Tattersall's Park, then Ubet Park, Luxbet Park, and Tab Park Elwick. Since July 2019, it has been known as Ladbrokes Park Elwick.
The Famous Hobart Cup
The Hobart Cup is one of the most important races at Elwick. The very first winner was a horse named Ella in 1875.
This exciting race happens every February. Horses compete over a distance of 2,400 meters. It's a handicap race, meaning horses carry different weights to make the competition fair. In 2022, the total prize money for the Hobart Cup was $250,000!
Greyhound Racing at Elwick
The Hobart Greyhound Racing Club (HGRC) moved to Elwick Racecourse after the big upgrades were finished. Their first race meeting at Elwick was on November 2, 2006.
Greyhound races at Elwick are held over different distances. These include 340, 461, 599, and 709 meters. Before moving to Elwick, the HGRC raced at the Royal Hobart Showground and the TCA Ground.
