‘Bring back winter races’
THE success of the Sydney autumn carnival has sparked a renewed push for a further upgrade of Queensland’s winter racing.
Racing Queensland originally scrapped the winter carnival features because of the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic implications.
But it has since issued a revised schedule of 25 blacktype races, including the reinstatement of two Group One races – the Stradbroke Handicap and J J Atkins. The Sydney autumn carnival produced large television ratings and good betting turnover, while South Australia’s carnival is under way without any major changes. Several prominent Queensland figures believe it is an indication more Group One and blacktype races could be run in late June or July.
There have been questions raised about why the Queensland Derby, Tatt’s Tiara and Doomben 10,000 could not be run in late June-July.
Trainer Robert Heathcote said he was not the only one who felt the decision to scrap the carnival was premature.
“I agree it is great we are racing but the main reason is the industry has made every effort to obey biosecurity restrictions,” Heathcote said.
“The decision to scrap the carnival was made without consultation ... but people are now saying the changes were not enough and we could go ahead with a full carnival even without crowds and under continuing tight controls.”
RQ chief executive Brendan Parnell said there was no perfect solution but the governing body’s top priority was to ensure safety.