By Jordan Gerrans
Queensland officials and leading kennels have hailed the upcoming 2021 TAB Queensland Winter Greyhound Racing Carnival as the home of the fastest dogs in Australia.
The Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club and Racing Queensland officially launched the TAB Queensland Winter Greyhound Racing Carnival at Albion Park on Wednesday afternoon.
The carnival will kick-off on Thursday evening with two Listed races, the Garrard’s Carnival Chase and the Brisbane Young Guns – with both worth $26,250.
A massive 14 Group and Listed races, as well as $1.3 million in total prize money, is on offer across the feature period of the year, which wraps up in late August.
Champion Queensland trainer Tony Brett has seen significant growth in prize money and status in the Sunshine State over recent years and cannot wait for this year’s carnival.
“We will have the best dogs in Australia here, they will come from near and far,” Brett said.
“That is what people want to see, they want to see the champions go around.
“It will only get bigger and better.”
Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club CEO Luke Gatehouse (pictured) was on hand to help launch the carnival and is looking forward to the Greyhound Origin Series, as well as a number of other high-profile races.
The centrepiece of the Winter Carnival will once again take place at Albion Park on July 8, with the $375,000 Group 1 Sky Racing Brisbane Cup expected to attract the nation’s biggest stars.
“With $1.3 million in total prize money, the fourth richest race in the world in the Brisbane Cup and a great support program that night with the Queensland Cup at Group 1 level, we are all excited for the upcoming carnival,” Gatehouse said.
“We have Super Night back again and Group 3 TAB Flying Amy Classic for the young greyhounds, at that level for the first time.
“We are always trying to make the next carnival the best one and hopefully 2021 is that for us.”