Caulfield’s Group 1 racing will be shown on Channel Seven, including during the build-up to the AFL preliminary final, after discussions between the broadcaster and Racing Victoria.
Racing Victoria, the Melbourne Racing Club and Seven had been workshopping solutions as it became clear Caulfield’s Group 1 racing would clash with the broadcaster’s football commitments.
Channel Seven, the host broadcaster of the racing and AFL, is due to cross to its football commitments at 4pm with the game beginning at 5.15pm.
Racing Victoria said it conducted wagering analysis on last year’s meeting, which also clashed with the football, and was of the view the race times should remain as planned.
Seven, however, agreed to cut into its football broadcast, during the pre-game coverage, to show the Rupert Clarke Stakes to a potentially even greater audience given two of the game’s biggest clubs are playing.
“After consulting with the MRC and Seven, and conducting extensive wagering analysis, we have determined to proceed with the original scheduled times at Caulfield on Saturday which will see the first race conducted at 12.10pm and the last at 5.25pm,” a spokesman said.
“The meeting will be broadcast on Seven’s main channel from 12pm-4pm and then on 7Two from 4pm-5.30pm. The Group 1 Underwood Stakes is scheduled to be run at 3.40pm and broadcast on Seven’s main channel with Seven planning to cross back to Caulfield at 4.20pm to broadcast the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes on both its main channel and 7Two.”
RV will work through what the 10th race looks like on Wednesday once acceptances are finalised, which is due to run at 5.25pm.
