The 2022 TAB Queensland Racing Carnival is poised to unveil two new million-dollar features, along with attractive bonuses to draw Australasia’s best middle-distance horses to the Sunshine State.
Both the Group 1 Doomben Cup and Queensland Derby will be worth one million dollars and rich incentives will be added for three-year-olds, with the Derby and Oaks funnelling into the $1.2 million Sky Racing Q22 to further enhance the end-of season middle-distance program.
With the heroes of Stradbroke Season recently franking their Winter Carnival form during Spring campaigns in Melbourne and Sydney, superstars such as Zaaki and Incentivise are hoped to be lured back with the upgrades.
Racing Queensland is presently finalising an enhanced Winter Carnival, but has confirmed the Doomben Cup will enjoy a $300,000 bump to $1 million for the first time.
The Queensland Derby will also rise by $400,000 to $1 million to become the seventh Winter Carnival feature to be run for a million dollars or more.
As a further enhancement, any eligible horse that runs first or second in the Queensland Derby or Queensland Oaks, and can then run top-three in the Q22, will receive a $100,000 cash bonus or $250,000 QTISx voucher.
“There’s significant prize money investments for next year’s Winter Carnival,” RQ CEO Brendan Parnell said.
“We want to hero Queensland, so there’s further enhancements set for Oaks Day, including the introduction of the Q22 bonuses to attract the best three-year-olds to the Grand Final event.
“We’re looking forward to it being our most exciting Winter Carnival yet, with the superstars of Australian racing once again in attendance.”
Zaaki, who currently sits inside the world’s top-30 racehorses, was simply breath-taking during this year’s Winter Carnival, securing the A.D Hollindale Stakes at the Gold Coast, Doomben Cup and the inaugural Q22 in dominant fashion.
While Incentivise was equally eye-catching in the Tattersall’s Cup before going on to capture three Victorian Group 1s including the Caulfield Cup, as well as his brave second in the Melbourne Cup.
“Having seven races worth $1 million or more will take Stradbroke Season to another level,” Brisbane Racing Club CEO Tony Partridge said.
“This year’s re-vamped carnival proved a terrific launching pad for Spring stardom, with no less than six individual Group 1 winners graduating from Stradbroke Season, highlighted by Incentivise and Zaaki.
“With an additional two races brought up to $1 million status, it is a fantastic drawcard for our 2022 Carnival.”