RACING Queensland will launch a new Cannonball Series and follow up last year’s popular Provincial Series in a huge spring of racing beginning on October 3.
The newly-developed Cannonball Series will cater for Queensland’s sprinting stocks with five heats over 800m spread between Kilcoy, Ipswich and Warwick. The series will then culminate in a $30,000 final at Kilcoy on December 6.
Racing Queensland Thoroughbred Operations Manager Ross Gove said the series would offer a different spectacle for punters, while also providing increased opportunities for participants.
“Short course scampers provide an explosive type of racing and we have also added a $10,000 bonus to the series final for any horse that can run under 44 seconds,” Mr Gove said.
“The 800m track record at Kilcoy is 44.06, so the sub-44 second bonus is a little incentive for owners and trainers to try their luck in what will be a really exciting series.”
Mr Gove said the series would provide the perfect ally for the Provincial Series, which was very well-received by participants in its inaugural running last year, culminating in a final on George Moore Stakes Day.
“This series was developed to provide non-metropolitan horses with an opportunity to race for increased stakes in town during the summer and it was really well-supported last year,” Mr Gove said.
“There is $245,000 in prizemoney up for grabs over the series with seven heats worth $20,000 each and a $100,000 final, which is topped up with a $5,000 trainer’s bonus for the winner.
“Both series are part of a shift in strategic direction to provide smaller incentive-based series to complement the bigger racedays during the summer and winter.”
2015 CANNONBALL Series
Heats: 1. Saturday 3 October Kilcoy Race Club BM65 800m $16,000
2. Friday 16 October Ipswich Turf Club BM75 800m $16,000
3. Friday 30 October Kilcoy Race Club BM70 800m $16,000
4. Sunday 15 November Warwick Turf Club BM65 800m $16,000
5. Wednesday 25 November Ipswich Turf Club BM75 800m $16,000
Final: Sunday 6 December Kilcoy Race Club BM75 800m $30,000
Finals Bonus: The winner of the Final will receive a $10,000 bonus payment ($7500 – owner, $2500 – trainer) if the winner can better the time of 44:00secs.
The 2015 QLD Provincial Series - Trainer Bonus of $5,000 for the Winner of the final
Heats:
- Wednesday 28 October Ipswich TC BM75 Hcp 1200m $20,000
- Tuesday 3 November (Melbourne Cup) Gold Coast TC BM75 Hcp 1200m $20,000
- Friday 13 November Rockhampton JC BM70 Hcp 1300m $20,000
- Sunday 15 November Sunshine Coast TC BM75 Hcp 1300m $20,000
- Sunday 15 November Warwick TC BM75 Hcp 1350m $20,000
- Wednesday 25 November Ipswich TC BM75 Hcp 1200m $20,000
- Friday 27 November Beaudesert RC BM75 Hcp 1400m $20,000
Final: Saturday 5 December 2015 Doomben 1350m (No ‘Metro’ wins) $100,000