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:

  1. Wednesday 28 October                      Ipswich TC              BM75  Hcp 1200m                  $20,000
  2. Tuesday 3 November (Melbourne Cup) Gold Coast  TC      BM75  Hcp 1200m                  $20,000
  3. Friday 13 November                           Rockhampton JC    BM70 Hcp 1300m                   $20,000
  4. Sunday 15 November                         Sunshine Coast TC  BM75 Hcp 1300m                   $20,000
  5. Sunday 15 November                         Warwick TC             BM75 Hcp 1350m                   $20,000
  6. Wednesday 25 November                   Ipswich TC              BM75 Hcp 1200m                   $20,000
  7. Friday 27 November                           Beaudesert RC        BM75 Hcp 1400m                   $20,000

 Final:   Saturday 5 December 2015                 Doomben               1350m (No ‘Metro’ wins)        $100,000