With the 2018 Winter Carnival commencing in June participants are reminded of the improvements made to races within the 2018 Carnival compared to 2017.
Improvements include:
- June 1 – $10,450 Consolation of Garrards Redcliffe Yearling Sales 2YO Series added
- June 8 – Redcliffe Trotters Cup of $10,540 added. T3+ Discretionary Handicap over 2613m
- July 7 – T5+ Trotters FFA of $14,999 added. Mobile start with a random draw.
- July 7 – Premiers Cup changed from 2647m C2/C5 standing start to a 2138m C2/C5 Mobile start. Barrier draw PBD/C.
- July 14 – Fleur De Lil Ladyship Stakes prizemoney increased to $25,540 and is a Listed event.
- July 14 – Queensland Trotters Cup added. T5+ Discretionary Handicap of 30,630. A Group Two event over 2647m.
- July 14 – Female Drivers Invitation race of $11,540 added. For horses C2 or Better, no better than M0 with no Band assessment. Penalty Exempt race over distance of 1660m.
- July 20 – QBRED Triad Consolations moved from the Blacks A Fake Saturday night program to Friday.
- July 21 – 4YO Championship moved from night one of the Albion Park Carnival to Blacks A Fake night.
- July 21 – Trotters Marathon moved from night two of the Albion Park Carnival to Blacks A Fake night with prizemoney now of $20,630.
- July 21 – Drivers Invitation race of $20,540 added. For horses assessed Band 5 over a distance of 2138m.
- July 27 – Knights & Dames Final of $10,450 added to Redcliffe Patrons Purse night. For horses that qualified from Heats at Redcliffe July 19. C0/C1 for horses 4YO & older that have not won more than $30,000 lifetime.
- August 24 – Garrards Redcliffe Yearling Sales 3YO Final (Heats scheduled for August 15) moved from Patrons Purse night to avoid a clash with the feature 3YO races in the Winter Carnival
These enhancements to the Queensland Winter Carnival were made to help strengthen the carnival in terms of participation rates, quality of product and wagering. Wagering on the Carnival in 2017 was down approximately 10%. We aim to improve the wagering figures this year by providing this enhanced program for the 2018 Queensland Winter Carnival.
To view the Winter Carnvial pocket guide please refer to http://www.racingqueensland.com.au/Harness-Industry/Winter-Racing-Carnival
For queries contact the Racing Queensland Harness Racing Office on (07) 3869 9774 or harnesshandicapping@racingqueensland.com.au