Racing Queensland is likely to continue with its State of Origin jockeys concept after some teething problems with the inaugural series.
Star riders from Queensland, NSW, New Zealand and Victoria have taken part in the first three days of the series which will be completed at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Glen Boss, Craig Williams, Tye Angland, Opie Bosson, Danielle Johnson and Darren Gauci are among the Group one winning jockeys to have taken part.
The series has been generally well received although there have been problems with some of the jockeys losing their mounts because of scratchings.
RQ’s general manager of marketing, Doug Cross, said it was hoped the series would be held again next year.
“After Saturday we will sit down and discuss with industry players how we can improve it. I am sure there will be some worthwhile suggestions,” Cross said.
RQ hopes the concept might eventually be extended to include riders from all Australian states.
After Saturday’s Doomben meeting NSW leads on 22 points from New Zealand on 14, Victoria 12 and Queensland 11.
Meanwhile, long serving race broadcaster Alan Thomas will call his last race at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
It will be a fitting finale for Thomas who called his first race meeting at the Gold Coast in January 1971.
He is best known as Sky Racing’s Queensland caller but has had stints with radio stations 4BC and 4KQ and in television with Channel 9.
Thomas is retiring to run his own real estate business in the Gold Coast suburb of Main Beach.
