The 2019 TAB Queensland Winter Racing Carnival will continue at Doomben this Saturday with more than $900,000 in prize money on offer including four listed races.
With the three-month carnival officially commencing in Toowoomba a fortnight ago with the first of more than 60 black type races, a record-breaking $18.4 million will go on the line following the scheduling of eight Group 1’s, 10 Group 2’s and 14 Group 3’s across six separate race clubs.
The Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich and Tattersalls will all feature prominently, along with the Brisbane Racing Club which will celebrate the return to Eagle Farm and the running of the $1.5 million TAB Stradbroke Handicap.
In total, prize money has increased by $1.7 million from 2018 figures as the nation turns its attention to the Sunshine State.
“The (TAB) Queensland Winter Racing Carnival is the springboard to stardom for emerging and current stars and is therefore a highlight of the Australian calendar,” Racing Queensland CEO Brendan Parnell said.
“We’ve been fortunate enough to see the likes of Black Caviar and Winx leave an indelible footprint on the carnival in recent years and we look forward to the next generation of superstars announcing themselves on the national stage.
“It promises to be a must-see affair.”
Just 12 months ago, Santa Ana Lane was a popular winner in the Stradbroke, while The Autumn Sun secured his first Group 1 in the J.J. Atkins (1600m) before being retired to stud.
With Winx also on her way to the breeding barn, the opportunity for a new racing hero to endear themselves to the sporting public has never been more opportune.
Queensland’s Group 1 sprinting ‘Triple Crown’ – the Doomben 10,000, Kingsford-Smith Cup and Stradbroke Handicap - will offer prize money of $3 million across the board to attract some of the nation’s top sprinters.
While two-year-olds will now race for $2 million across the program with the Queensland Sires’ increased to $400,000 and the Champagne Stakes to $200,000.
Middle-distance and staying types will also have plenty of incentives on offer with more than $2 million up for grabs across the Hollindale Stakes ($500,000), Doomben Cup ($700,000) O’Shea Stakes ($400,000) and Brisbane Cup ($400,000).
Having announced at the weekend that the Doomben 10,000 (May 11), Kirin Stakes (May 25) Queensland Oaks (June 1) and the Stradbroke Handicap (June 8) would all be broadcast on free-to-air courtesy of Channel 7, BRC Chairman Neville Bell said it would be a momentous occasion for the club and Queensland racing participants.
“This is a landmark carnival because Eagle Farm is back in action for the Channel 7 Brisbane Racing Carnival, which is something that excites the industry across the country,” Mr Bell said.
“The Winter Racing Carnival is the true nursery of Australian feature racing with so many of the nation’s greatest racehorses showcasing the benefits of racing here.”
As previously announced, prize money for all Group 3 races will be a minimum of $140,000 and listed races at $125,000.
2019 TAB Queensland Winter Racing Carnival – Key prizemoney increases:
- A.D.Hollindale Stakes (Group 2) – from $358,000 to $500,000;
- Doomben 10,000 (Group 1) – from $700,000 to $800,000;
- Champagne Classic (Group 2) – from $175,000 to $200,000;
- Doomben Cup (Group 1) – from $650,000 to $700,000;
- Bill Carter Stakes (Listed) – from $100,000 to $200,000;
- BRC Sires’ Produce (Group 2) – from $250,000 to $400,000;
- P. J. O’Shea Stakes (Group 2) – from $200,000 to $400,000;
- Brisbane Cup (Group 2) – from $300,000 to $400,000;
Click here to see the full 2019 TAB Queensland Winter Racing Carnival schedule.