The TAB Golden Greys Summer Carnival is ready to hit top gear on Thursday night with the heats of the Group 3 Golden Ticket.
On the eve of this year’s Summer Carnival, Racing Queensland announced a raft of prize money increases including the Golden Ticket.
The unique match race series, which provides direct entry to the winner through to the Group 1 Gold Bullion Final on February 3, rises from $40,000 to $60,000.
The Gold Bullion has also been significantly bolstered from $235,000 to $300,000, including $200,000 to the winner, while the Group 3 Gold Cup rises from $113,000 to $150,000.
The heats of the Golden Ticket will be conducted as four-dog shootouts, with the Final conducted as two-dog match races.
During the first two editions of the event, the Golden Ticket has proven a winning form line for the Gold Bullion, with Sennachie claiming both events in 2020.
Crazy Cool almost repeated the dose last year, winning the Golden Ticket before running second behind Shima Shine in the Gold Bullion Final.
“The introduction of the Golden Greys continues to be one of the real success stories of Queensland racing,” Racing Queensland CEO Brendan Parnell said.
“The program features opportunities for the nation’s best sprinters, middle distance types and stayers, which should be further supported this year with the prize money increases.
“The Gold Bullion offers $200,000 to the winner and maintains its standing as one of the most lucrative sprints on the calendar, while the Golden Ticket has been a great initiative and provides direct entry into the Bullion Final.”
A raft of Queensland hopes have nominated for Thursday’s heats including Spotted Elk and Extra Malt, who finished first and second in the Queensland Flame Final at the start of the Golden Greys.
Louis Rumble, the Ipswich Cup winner, and Just A Sort, the Queensland Derby champion, are also running, along with Victorian star Aston Ulysses.
Click here for further information on the TAB Golden Greys Summer Carnival program.