The Northern Queensland Winter Racing Carnival returns in 2024, with more than $3.6 million in prize money and bonuses up for grabs over two months of racing.
Another iteration of the highly anticipated Northern Winter Carnival commences with a two-day extravaganza at the Rockhampton Jockey Club from July 12, and will again close with the time-honoured Cairns Amateurs on Saturday, September 13.
The action commences at Callaghan Park with the $100,000 Rockhampton Newmarket Handicap (1300m) on Friday, July 12, before the running of the $150,000 Rockhampton Cup over 1600 metres and Magic Millions Capricorn Guineas (1500m) the following day.
From there, the Northern Winter Carnival continues north to Mackay, with the running of the $75,000 Mackay Newmarket Handicap (1300m) on Friday, July 26.
Attention then then turns to Townsville, with the city to host two weekends of feature racing, starting with the Magic Millions Townsville Guineas (1609m) on Sunday, July 28.
A week later, the $150,000 Townsville Cup (2000m) and $100,000 Cleveland Bay Handicap (1300m) will take centre stage on Saturday, August 3.
“With five incredible cup races staged across Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns, the Northen Winter Carnival puts our Central and North Queensland clubs in the spotlight,” Mr Scott said.
“With the likes of Magic Millions QTIS Open placegetter Chinny Boom and reigning Townsville Cup champion Namazu in recent times, the Central and Northern regions of the state continue to produce a number of promising gallopers.
“We have worked closely with the clubs to create a program that ensures each meeting is placed to deliver a community event which showcases everything that is great about local food, fashion and on-course entertainment.
“We look forward to another incredibly successful Northern Winter Racing Carnival and wish all involved the best of luck.”
The Carnival makes a return to Mackay for the $150,000 Mackay Cup on Saturday, August 10, alongside the Magic Millions Whitsunday Guineas (1560m).
Finally, the Carnival heads to the Far North on Saturday, August 17 with the $75,000 Newmarket Handicap, (1400m) before the penultimate carnival meeting at Ladbrokes Cannon Park with the $150,000 Cairns Cup (2100m) and Magic Millions Daintree Guineas (1500m) on Saturday, August 24.
The curtain draws on the Carnival with its traditional finale thanks to the $150,000 Cairns Amateur Cup (2100m) and the $75,000 Cairns Amateur Sprint (1400m) on Saturday, September 14.
Click here for more information on the 2024 Northern Queensland Winter Racing Carnival.