Elwick Racecourse (currently also known by its sponsored name of Ladbrokes Park Elwick) is a

Thoroughbred The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed. Thoroughbreds are c ...

horse-racing Horse racing is an equestrian performance sport, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its basic pr ...

venue located on Goodwood Road within Glenorchy,

Tasmania ) , nickname = , image_map = Tasmania in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Tasmania in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdi ...

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

. It is located in close proximity to the

Brooker Highway The Brooker Highway is a highway in the State of Tasmania, Australia. As one of Hobart's 3 major radials, the highway connects traffic from the Hobart city centre with the northern suburbs and is the major road connection to the cities and town ...

Hobart Showground The Royal Hobart Showgrounds are the site of the Royal Hobart Show and many other smaller events including a market on the grounds every Sunday. The Royal Hobart Showground is located 10 km north of Hobart, between the junction to Brook ...

Derwent Entertainment Centre Derwent Entertainment Centre, also known as the DEC and known commercially as MyState Bank Arena, is the largest indoor arena in Tasmania and the multi-purpose arena is the primary venue in Hobart for large indoor functions/events. It was cons ...

Glenorchy Art and Sculpture Park The Glenorchy Art and Sculpture Park (GASP) is a sculpture park and boardwalk in Glenorchy, Tasmania, Australia. Commencing at Montrose Foreshore Community Park, GASP follows Elwick Bay's foreshore, terminating at Wilkinsons Point. GASP is in cl ...

and the River Derwent. The Racecourse has a picturesque outlook across the river, as well as being dominated by views of

kunanyi / Mount Wellington Mount Wellington (officially kunanyi / Mount Wellington ()) is a mountain in the southeast of Tasmania, Australia. It is the summit of the Wellington Range and is within Wellington Park reserve. Hobart, Tasmania's capital city, is located at t ...

. Elwick features at least 110 race meetings and 210 trial days a year, but is most well known for hosting the

Hobart Cup The Hobart Cup is a Tasmanian Racing Club Group 3 Thoroughbred horse race held as an open handicap race over a distance of 2400 metres at Elwick Racecourse in Glenorchy, Tasmania, Australia. The Cup is usually held on the first or second Mond ...

Design

Ladbrokes Park Elwick is an approximately egg shaped

anti-clockwise Two-dimensional rotation can occur in two possible directions. Clockwise motion (abbreviated CW) proceeds in the same direction as a clock's hands: from the top to the right, then down and then to the left, and back up to the top. The opposite s ...

circuit with four straight starting lengths, and seven starting positions. These are located at 800m, 1000m, 1200m, 1600m, 2200m, and 2400m. The 2200m start is to the left of the pavilion, meaning the horses pass the crowd at the beginning of the race, and is the start position for the Hobart Cup.

History

Race meets have been conducted at the site since the late 19th century, which was first leased by the TRC in 1874, and later bought by them. Elwick had already developed into a popular venue by the 1880s.

Elwick Drive-In

Tasmania's first

drive-in cinema A drive-in theater or drive-in cinema is a form of cinema structure consisting of a large outdoor movie screen, a projection booth, a concession stand, and a large parking area for automobiles. Within this enclosed area, customers can view movie ...

, known as the ''Elwick Drive-In'' opened on 27th September 1956, operated by Northside Drive-In Theatres Pty Ltd. Located within the track, it hosted space for 676 cars. It was taken over by Tasmanian Drive-in Theatres (

Village Cinemas Village Cinemas is an Australian-based multinational movie theater, film exhibition brand that mainly shows blockbuster (entertainment), blockbuster, mainstream, children's film, children and family films and some arthouse, foreign language fil ...

) in 1968. It operated until March 1985, with all traces of the venue disappearing by 2004. The worldwide decline of interest in the entertainment model led to its demise, though in recent years nostalgists have called for its return within the scope of seasonal and special event screenings. Elwick-Glenorchy-P1010363

2000s redevelopment

In 2004 the

Tasmanian Government The Tasmanian Government is the democratic administrative authority of the state of Tasmania, Australia. The leader of the party or coalition with the confidence of the House of Assembly, the lower house of the Parliament of Tasmania, is invite ...

undertook a controversial A$20 million redevelopment of the venue. The redevelopment involved the construction of a new 970 metre long, 19 metre wide

harness A harness is a looped restraint or support. Specifically, it may refer to one of the following harness types: * Bondage harness * Child harness * Climbing harness * Dog harness * Pet harness * Five-point harness * Horse harness * Parrot harness * ...

track and a 700 metre long and 6 and a half metre wide track for

greyhounds The English Greyhound, or simply the Greyhound, is a breed of dog, a sighthound which has been bred for coursing, greyhound racing and hunting. Since the rise in large-scale adoption of retired racing Greyhounds, the breed has seen a resurge ...

, as well as a redevelopment of the heritage listed grandstand, new bookmakers area. Lawned areas sweep down to the mounting ring, birdcage and the enclosures. Three public lounges and two dining areas are present in addition to members' facilities. The track was renamed from Tattersall's Park to UBET Park in 2015 and once again in 2016 to Luxbet Park, followed by yet another renaming to Tab Park Elwick, and once again in July 2019 to its current name of Ladbrokes Park Elwick.

Hobart Cup

The inaugural Hobart Cup winner was Ella in 1875. Held in February, the Hobart Cup is competed over 2,400 metres with handicaps. In 2022, total prize money is $250,000.

Hobart Greyhound Racing Club

The Hobart Greyhound Racing Club (HGRC) switched to Elwick Racecourse after the $20 million development had been completed. The first race meeting was held on 2 November 2006. Races are held over distances of 340, 461, 599 and 709 metres. Previously the HGRC had raced at

Royal Hobart Showground The Royal Hobart Showgrounds are the site of the Royal Hobart Show and many other smaller events including a market on the grounds every Sunday. The Royal Hobart Showground is located 10 km north of Hobart, between the junction to Brook ...

from 1980 until 2006 and before that at the

TCA Ground The TCA Ground, or Tasmanian Cricket Association Ground, is one of two first-class standard cricket grounds in Hobart, Tasmania. It is located on the Queens Domain less than one kilometre from the CBD. The TCA Ground is a picturesque ground ...

from 1935 until 1980.

References

{{Cinematic and theatrical buildings in Tasmania Sports venues in Hobart Horse racing venues in Australia Glenorchy, Tasmania Sports venues completed in 1874 1874 establishments in Australia Tasmanian Heritage Register Greyhound racing venues in Australia