Queensland harness racing will take centre stage next week with the Group 1 TAB Blacks A Fake to be broadcast live and free on the Seven Network.
Headlining the coverage from Albion Park will be Sky Racing’s Adam Hamilton, Gareth Hall and Brittany Graham, along with the voice of Queensland harness racing, Chris Barsby.
The showcase coverage, which includes a support race, will be broadcast live on 7mate from 8.30pm AEST in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, and live-streamed on 7plus in Perth, marking the first occasion that the Blacks A Fake has been televised free-to-air.
“It’s an exciting announcement for the Queensland harness racing industry,” Racing Queensland CEO Brendan Parnell said.
“The TAB Blacks A Fake is one of the most coveted races on the Australasian racing calendar and it is great that we have been able to partner with the Seven Network and Sky Racing in this manner.
“We look forward to more people than ever before being exposed to the Blacks A Fake and everything that is great about harness racing in the Sunshine State.”
As Queensland’s only Grand Circuit event for pacers, the $175,000 Blacks A Fake will feature a blockbuster field that includes hometown hero and defending champion, Colt Thirty One.
Among the raiders is New Zealand superstar Turn It Up, a three-time Group 1 winner, and reigning Hunter Cup and Miracle Mile champion, King Of Swing.
One Change, who claimed last year’s Group 1 NZ Sires Stake Final, will be hoping to become the first three-year-old to win a Grand Circuit event in recent history after heading across the ditch from the powerful All-Stars stable.
The final field for the Blacks A Fake will be determined next week with the barrier draw to be shown live on SKY1 from 9am AEST.
Albion Park Harness Racing Club Chairman David Fowler applauded the free-to-air initiative.
“We are breaking new ground in this realm outside of the Inter Dominion coverage and that has to be a good thing,” Mr Fowler said.
“It’s also a powerful tool to increase awareness of not only racing at Albion Park, but of the harness sport in general.”
Click here for more information on the 2020 TAB Queensland Summer Harness Racing Carnival.