The nation’s premier middle-distance and staying gallopers will be eyeing off The Star Stradbroke Season with a number of prize money bonuses on offer throughout the Queensland Racing Carnival.
Racing Queensland has today unveiled three bonuses for horses targeting the XXXX Brisbane Cup, XXXX Doomben Cup, or Sky Racing Q22, with added incentive up for grabs if successful in selected lead-up races.
In conjunction with the Victoria Racing Club, a $125,000 bonus will be on offer for any horse who either wins or places in the VRC Andrew Ramsden Stakes at Flemington (May 13), before going on to win the Brisbane Cup on The Star Stradbroke Raceday.
Under the new bonus conditions, $100,000 will be payable to the winning owner/s, with $25,000 to the successful trainer/s.
In addition, a $200,000 bonus will be on the table for any horse that can secure either the Listed Canadian Club Tails Stakes (April 22) or the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes on May 6 before going on to win the Group 1 Doomben Cup or Group 2 Q22.
Finally, the next generation of stars will also have the chance to compete for rich bonus prize money, with an additional $100,000 available for any eligible horse that runs first to third in the Ladbrokes Queensland Derby or Channel 7 Queensland Oaks, before finishing top-three in the Q22 or Brisbane Cup.
“As one of the state’s flagship events, this year’s Queensland Racing Carnival is shaping up as one of the most innovative and enticing yet,” RQ Acting CEO Adam Wallish said.
“In recent years, we’ve seen the likes of Vow And Declare, Incentivise, Duais and Zaaki all leave their mark on Queensland, which speaks to our impact in showcasing the sport’s future champions.
“With eight million-dollar races and record-breaking prize money, the addition of three significant bonuses across our middle-distance and staying programs should ensure we see some of our best and brightest gallopers campaigning here in Queensland throughout the carnival.”
With the Queensland Racing Carnival set to commence at Eagle Farm later this month, all eyes will be on the Sunshine State following a number of recent enhancements that will now see more than $25 million on offer over the 10-week schedule.
A trio of million-dollar sprints underpin the most lucrative Queensland Racing Carnival in history, headlined by The Star Stradbroke Handicap, which doubles in stakes to $3 million.
The Ladbrokes Doomben 10,000 has also enjoyed a $500,000 increase to $1.5 million, while the Kingsford Smith Cup will rise by $300,000 to become the latest million-dollar feature on the calendar.
Brisbane Racing Club CEO Tony Partridge said that the up-coming The Star Stradbroke Season will be a great time to be in Brisbane.
“There is a great feel ahead of The Star Stradbroke Season this year as we look forward to delivering elevated experiences for our patrons and enhanced racing performances on the track,” Mr Partridge said.
“The prize money increases and bonuses will see the biggest names of the turf on show this May and June.
“Our staying features and sprints in particular will see an uplift, culminating in Queensland’s richest race, the $3 million The Star Stradbroke at Eagle Farm.”
The Queensland Racing Carnival commences at Eagle Farm on Saturday, April 29 with the Group 2 Sky Racing Queensland Guineas, the Group 2 Victory Stakes and the Listed Ladbrokes Dalrello Stakes.
Click here for more information on the Queensland Racing Carnival.