RACING Queensland Limited (RQL) in conjunction with the Toowoomba Turf Club (TTC) has today announced the $150,000 Listed Mainz Developments Weetwood Handicap has been moved to Saturday night, April 13, 2012.
The Listed Mainz Developments Weetwood Handicap run over 1200m will now be positioned as part of the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival in April, providing progression for horses into races such as the Listed Hinkler Handicap and Prime Minister’s Cup, the Group 3 BRC Sprint and Group 2 QTC Cup.
Racing Queensland chairman Kevin Dixon believes the move has further strengthened the Winter Racing program in Queensland.
“Racing Queensland is working with all south east Queensland TAB Clubs to ensure they are all involved in the Winter Carnival,” he said.
“This is a first step in our plans to reintegrate Toowoomba into the Carnival, with further enhancements coming in future years to position Toowoomba as a key component of the carnival in its own right.
“Doomben will host the $100,000 Listed Queensland Day 3YO during the day on April 13, and then trainers and jockeys have the option of heading to Toowoomba for the Weetwood Handicap to be run that night.”
It is envisaged the new date and time of the Mainz Developments Weetwood Handicap, will help attract better quality horses to the home of twilight racing further justifying the Black Type status of this race.
The evening program will be further bolstered by the addition of QTIS two and three-year-old races to provide a starting point for these horses headed to the carnival, as well as a $50,000 race for maiden horses.
The repositioning of the Mainz Developments Weetwood Handicap is aimed at attracting better quality horses to the home of twilight racing, and further justifying the Black Type status of this race.
TTC Chairman Bob Frappell said ‘’the Weetwood Handicap is an important race in the QLD Calendar and this move will only enhance its reputation and allow the TTC to be part of the QLD Winter Racing Carnival’’.
This change of date will also coincide with a new naming sponsor for the Weetwood Hcp in Mainz Developments.
The TTC has two other race program changes, with a special Sunday meeting on June 2nd for the running of the Toowoomba Cup and Saturday night 29th December moved to Monday night 31st December for a New Years Eve race meeting.
JOINT RACING QUEENSLAND & TOOWOOMBA TURF CLUB MEDIA RELEASE