By Jordan Gerrans
After a fruitful stint in South East Queensland, leading Townsville trainer Bradley Belford is back in the north and has QGOLD on his mind.
The Gumlow-based conditioner recently spent a period of time with his kennel around Brisbane, regularly racing at Ipswich and Albion Park.
Between January 30 and February 6, Belford prepared a handful of winners during his “working holiday” as well as a number of other minor placings.
Having returned back to North Queensland, he has focussed his attention back on collecting winners on his home track.
Belford has a team of four nominated for the Townsville meeting on Saturday before unleashing a large contingent of his dogs on the Tuesday evening program.
Following the popular QGOLD night during the 2022-23 Golden Greys Summer Racing Carnival, the concept is set to now turn to the north of the Sunshine State.
Three heats of the QGOLD Open will be run at Townsville’s Showgrounds track over 498 metres on Tuesday evening to celebrate Queensland-bred greyhounds before a $15,000 Final seven days later.
Feature QGOLD races will also be run at Rockhampton next month, starting off with heats of their series over 407 metres on March 1.
It is the first time the increased prize money of QGOLD races have been held at the regional tracks in Queensland.
The boosted stakes of the QGOLD races has created plenty of interest in the northern city.
“It is good for us in the north,” Belford said.
“I have spoken a number of trainers up here and they have all been blown away by the prize money on offer in this race so there is a few people looking forward to it.”