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Tasmanian thoroughbred racing fans may have a feeling of emptiness this Sunday without any racing on.

Easter Sunday (9 April) was the last Sunday in which there was no thoroughbred racing in Tasmania, but the trade-off is a midweek meeting on 7 June in Devonport which will be quickly followed by a program in Hobart four days later.

In consultation with Sky Channel, Tasracing were offered the opportunity of two midweek slots in June (7 & 21 June) which will be used to gauge success based on industry and club feedback along with wagering turnover.

The first of the two Wednesday Devonport meetings has been exceptionally well supported in terms of nominations, with a total of 171 nominations for the scheduled eight races.

The highest-class race of the day is the benchmark 72 (1009m), which likely provides a platform for many of the runners into a $45,000 open handicap over the same distance in Devonport a fortnight later.

The winner of the open handicap on 21 June will be afforded ballot-free entry into the $109,000 Ladbrokes Carpet Charge on Devonport Cup Day 2024.

The 7 June meeting also marks the introduction of the Ladbrokes Owners Incentive Scheme (LOIS), with three races on the program potentially eligible for a $2,000 payment to winning owners courtesy of Ladbrokes.

Owners are reminded that to be eligible for the scheme, they first must register via https://www.ladbrokes.com.au/lois.

Acceptances for the meeting in Devonport will be finalised on Friday morning (2 June). The program will be live hosted on TasracingTV by Matt Reid.