Racing Queensland and UBET have launched a trainers’ challenge series designed to attract better quality horses and boost betting turnover for the Brisbane winter carnival.
Leading Victorian trainer Ciaron Maher, who won last year’s Stradbroke Handicap with Srikandi, was among the guests to launch the series at Doomben Racecourse on Wednesday.
Srikandi will not be coming for the winter but Maher will have a strong team in Queensland with his possible team to include top mare Azkadellia, smart filly Petits Filous and maybe VRC Oaks winner Jameka.
“The Brisbane winter has been good to me and the Challenge is a very good reason to throw a few more horses on the float for up here,” Maher said.
The overall winner of the Super Six Trainers Challenge will have the choice of a $140,000 BMW X6 or a trip to the Kentucky Derby for the trainer and six owners.
The daily winner will get a $10,000 QTIS cash voucher to be used to buy any QTIS registered yearling offered for auction at any sale in Australia.
The series will run over the six major feature race days at Doomben and Eagle Farm from BTC Cup day on May 14 to the Tatts Tiara meeting on June 25.
A points system has been designed which the organisers hope will be fair to all stables and not just the major southern trainers.
A trainer will get points when for top three finishes in any of the 41 Listed and Group races.
The points will be 15 for a win, 10 for second and five for third with double points for the final day on June 25.
Racing Queensland chief executive Ian Hall said the series would enhance the calibre of interstate and Queensland horses entered for the winter carnival.
“The winter carnival has grown in stature with the likes of Winx and Srikandi, and we believe this concept will add another dimension to this year’s Carnival,” he said.
