Flying Amy headlines further Winter Carnival prize money increases

The Flying Amy Classic will remain Queensland’s richest event for age-restricted greyhounds, with confirmation the race will receive a $75,000 increase in 2023.

Restricted to greyhounds which are 30-months-old or younger, the $225,000 Group 2 feature will be staged on June 8 and will retain its position as one of the premier events within the Queensland Winter Greyhound Racing Carnival. 

The announcement headlines further prize money enhancements for the 2023 Winter Carnival, which sees $3.3 million in prize money up for grabs over seven weeks of racing from May 25 to July 7 at Albion Park, including 18 Group and Listed races. 

Late last year, it was confirmed that prize money for the Group 1 Brisbane Cup would almost double from $525,000 to $1 million in 2023, further solidifying its spot amongst the world’s richest and most prestigious greyhound races. 

The heats for the showpiece race will be held on June 29 ahead of the Final on July 7, the same night that two Cup consolations will be run for a combined $157,500. 

The Group 1 Queensland Cup continues to attract the nation’s premier stayers, with prize money being bolstered by $35,000 to $260,000 in 2023. 

With both the Brisbane Cup and Queensland Cup being held on July 7, almost $1.5 million in prize money will be up for grabs in what is one of Australian greyhound racing’s biggest nights. 

Racing Queensland CEO Jason Scott said the prize money increases would continue to entice Australia’s top greyhounds to the Sunshine State. 

“With the Flying Amy Classic jumping from $150,000 to $225,000, we are sure to see another quality field assemble for the age-restricted race next month,” Mr Scott said. 

“The Brisbane Cup has further strengthened its position as the showpiece race in Queensland, with the $475,000 boost adding even more incentive for trainers to head to Albion Park.” 

The popular Origin Greyhound Series returns this year on June 15 and will once again feature both the Origin Sprint and Origin Distance as well as a two-dog match race, where competing chasers will be selected by Queensland and NSW respectively. 

Both Group 3 Sprint and Distance – previously run for $75,000 – have doubled in prize money in 2023 and will be run for $150,000 each on June 15. 

The Listed Origin Match Race has also received a $15,000 boost, with a $60,000 purse on offer. 

The evening will lead in to the NRL’s State of Origin game in Brisbane the following week, with Ben Hannant (Queensland) and Terry Hill (NSW) once again renewing their rivalry as the respective series coaches. 

Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club CEO Luke Gatehouse said the state rivalry generated by the Origin Greyhound Series will reach new heights on the back of the prize money uplifts. 

“It’s state versus state, mate versus mate, and greyhound great versus greyhound great,” Mr Gatehouse said.

“The pride and prestige that comes with selection and success in the series has grown incredibly over the past five years. 

“The 2023 version will be yet another highlight in the magnificent array of lead in events to both the Brisbane and Queensland Cups.” 

Following its highly successful introduction throughout the summer, the QGOLD feature night will make its debut in the winter on May 25, with $250,000 up for grabs over nine events. 

Along with the Flying Amy Classic, June 8 will also include the running of the Group 3 Carnival Chase, which has received a $50,000 boost to $90,000 in prize money. 

The same night, the Dashing Corsair will be run over 710m, with entrants competing for an increased prize pool of $45,000. 

Meanwhile, the famous ‘Super Night’ on June 22 will once again feature a race from each of the five distances contested at Albion Park (331m, 395m, 520m, 600m, 710m), headlined by the Group 3 Super Stayers Invitational, which has also been boosted from $60,000 to $107,825. 

Click here to read more about the 2023 Queensland Winter Greyhound Racing Carnival.