The Northern Queensland Winter Racing Carnival returns next week, with more than $3.5 million in prize money and bonuses up for grabs over nine scintillating weeks of racing.
Another iteration of the highly anticipated Winter Carnival kicks off with a two-day extravaganza at Rockhampton Jockey Club from July 7, and will again close with the time-honoured Cairns Amateurs on September 8 and 9.
The action commences at Callaghan Park with the $100,000 Rockhampton Newmarket Handicap on Friday, July 7, before the running of the $150,000 TAB Rockhampton Cup over 1600 metres and Magic Millions Capricorn Guineas (1500m) the following day.
From there, the Winter Carnival continues north to Mackay, where feature races will be staged over two weekends, beginning with the $75,000 Mackay Newmarket Handicap (1300m) on Friday, July 14.
The following Saturday, the $150,000 Ladbrokes Mackay Cup will be run over 2000 metres, along with the Magic Millions Whitsunday Guineas (1560m).
Racing Queensland Executive General Manager – Operations Adam Wallish said he looks forward to Central and North Queensland taking centre stage following the success of the Queensland Racing Carnival in the South East.
“With five incredible cup races staged across Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns, the Winter Carnival showcases everything that is great about racing in the Sunshine State,” Mr Wallish said.
“This Carnival continues to attract quality fields, and we are pleased to deliver prize money increases to each of the Guineas races in 2023, which will now be run for $75,000 – up from $50,000.
“With the likes of Chinny Boom and Namazu in recent times, the Central and Northern regions of the state continue to produce a number of promising gallopers.
“We look forward to another incredibly successful Northern Queensland Winter Racing Carnival and wish all involved the best of luck.”
Following Mackay, the Winter Carnival continues north to Townsville with the Lightning Handicap (1000m) and Magic Millions Townsville Guineas (1600m) on Sunday, August 6, and two feature events on Saturday August 12 - the $150,000 Ladbrokes Townsville Cup (2000m) and $100,000 Cleveland Bay Handicap (1300m).
The Winter Carnival then heads to Cairns on Saturday, August 19 with the $75,000 Newmarket Handicap on the card, before the penultimate carnival meeting at Ladbrokes Cannon Park with the $150,000 Red Beret Hotel Cairns Cup (2100m) and Magic Millions Daintree Guineas (1500m) on Saturday, August 26.
The Winter Carnival closes out with the $150,000 Great Northern Cairns Amateur Cup (2100m) and the $75,000 Cairns Amateur Sprint on Saturday, September 9.
Click here for more information on the 2023 Northern Queensland Winter Racing Carnival.
