Limited Group Racing Back For Brisbane Winter

Breednet - Saturday April 11

Racing Queensland has announced its winter programming including 15 Group races across the Metro North and Metro South West regions.
 
Last year's Stradbroke winner Trekking - the race is back on the calendar for 2020.Having implemented a raft of strict biosecurity measures, including five designated racing regions across the state, RQ will provide limited black-type racing over a six-week period throughout May and June.
 
The existing restrictions limiting jockeys, trainers and other licensed personnel to their designated racing zones will remain in place, however, RQ will now allow conditional horse movement between zones for the purposes of racing.
 
With patron-free race meetings being conducted across the state, RQ Chairman Steve Wilson AM said the selected features had been developed following industry consultation with clubs, trainers, breeders and owners and would include QTIS bonuses for eligible Queensland horses.
 
“The Queensland racing industry has done a phenomenal job banding together during this period,” Mr Wilson said.
 
“The establishment of designated racing regions, and the strict biosecurity measures that we have adopted, has required large-scale changes to our day-to-day operations.
 
“This is reflective of the Queensland community more broadly and is necessary to ensure the continuation of racing during this unprecedented crisis.
 
“These are tough times and we must make a collective sacrifice. By programming selected features, we are able to provide enhanced opportunities for our Queensland participants.
 
“We all know any prize money cuts hurt – these are the salaries and wages that sustain our industry – but we are committed to providing our participants with hope as they navigate the social, economic and health challenges during this turbulent period.
 
“We are also able to use the coming months to pay homage to a number of Queensland racing greats including Ken Russell, Wayne Wilson, Pam O’Neill, Mick Dittman and JJ Atkins.”
 
Having committed to a review of the transferal of racing animals between zones after 14 days - click here to see the protocols - RQ will soon allow horses including those from alternate racing zones and inter-state to do so via commercial transport providers.
 
Horses transferring between existing Queensland zones will be required to do so by 12pm on the day prior to their race, while inter-state horses must have completed their journey prior to acceptance time of their nominated race.
 
The Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap headlines the Metro North feature races and will be held at Eagle Farm on June 6 alongside the Group 1 JJ Atkins, while the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes and The Roses will be staged the following week.
 
In the Metro South West region, Aquis Park will host the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas and Ken Russell Memorial on May 16, along with the listed Silk Stocking.
 
RQ CEO Brendan Parnell said whilst a winter carnival could not proceed, selected feature racing would continue in the Sunshine State on a limited basis.
 
“It’s important to recognise that this is not business as usual,” Mr Parnell said.
 
“The absence of the Doomben 10,000, the Derby and the Oaks is evidence of this point, along with feature prize money levels being reduced by more than 75% and black-type racing almost halved.
 
“At the same time, RQ will programme additional showcase races and meetings for the Central and Northern regions to provide increased opportunities to those parts of the state.
 
“It is imperative that we all play our role in adhering to the strict biosecurity measures so that racing can continue in Queensland and can support our 40,000 participants.”

Brisbane Racing Club Chairman Neville Bell OAM said the decision would ensure that feature racing would continue in Brisbane in the same way it was held during World War I, the Spanish Influenza outbreak and World War II.

“This is welcome news for Queensland’s racing industry because two weeks ago, like every sport, we were facing the prospect of not being able to hold our feature races,” Mr Bell said.

“Now, BRC members and the wider Queensland racing community can look forward to the likes of the Stradbroke being run which will be a highlight during these times. 

“This has been made possible by the way that the industry has worked to strict biosecurity measures in recent weeks with the raceday staff of each club working closely with Racing Queensland and QRIC to ensure our sport continues."
 
Click here to see Racing Queensland’s black-type races throughout May and June.

Advertisment
More Reading...
One To Watch – Randwick
After impressing on debut, the Chris Waller trained 3yo Super Seth filly Frosty Girl (NZ) took on the older mares on the Kensington track, remaining unbeaten with another stylish victory to become Breednet’s One To Watch.
Raging Force Bolts in at Randwick
Cosmic Force 2YO Raging Force was sent around in the Group III ATC Breeder’s Plate on debut last spring finishing sixth to King Kirk and coming out of the race with an injury, but time and a patient approach has put his career back on track.
Positive Build Up to Karaka Weanling Sale
Stars of the future go under the hammer at Karaka on Thursday with New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale set to commence at 10am.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday June 24
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
G1 Tatts Tiara – Where Are They Now?
The last Group I race of the Australian racing season, the $700,000 Tatts Tiara (1400m) will be run this Saturday and as a fillies and mares feature the winner is often headed straight to stud, so we’re taking a look at where these girls are at.
Nice 2YO Winner for Vinery Value Sire
He might be the least expensive sire on the Vinery roster this spring at a fee of just $6,600, but Headwater gets his share of winners and produced a new two year-old winner at Doomben on Wednesday.
Sires With Winners - Monday June 23
Here is the full list of 29 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 22
Here is the full list of 76 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Hong Kong Buyer Secures Top Lot June (Late) Sale at $500,000
The impact of the recent success in Hong Kong of horses sourced on Inglis Digital was in evidence today, with the top lot and the third top lot bought by Hong Kong-based owners.
Irish Oaks Possible for Royal Ascot Fairytale Filly
The biggest story in terms of our audience reads from Royal Ascot last week was by far and away the one on the Aussie owned underdog three year-old filly Cercene, who captured the Group I Coronation Stakes.