NSW autumn carnival a 50-day bonanza

The NSW racing and tourism industries have come together to launch a 50-day extravaganza encompassing the autumn racing carnival.

The six major partners - the Australian Jockey Club, Sydney Turf Club, TABCorp, Racing NSW, William Inglis and Sons and Tourism NSW - were all represented at Wednesday's launch where the advertising campaign was unveiled.

The television ad shows horses racing through the streets of Sydney with the slogan "The horses are back".

The Sydney spring carnival was lost due to equine influenza and the autumn represents the first time in 12 months that the best horses in Australia will compete against each other following the lifting of interstate travel restrictions.

The economic benefit to the state in 2007 was almost $1.7 billion with $433 million returned in tax.

Geoff Parmenter is the head of Events NSW, an organisation established by the state government two months ago to identify potential areas of economic benefit.

Events NSW will pour $750,000 into the 50 days of racing which includes the provincial and country areas as well as the Golden Slipper and AJC carnivals.

There will be more than $30 million on offer in racing prizemoney from 116 metropolitan and regional race meetings.

In addition it is estimated that women who attend the carnival will purchase more than 6,000 hats and 8,000 pairs of shoes.