Bonus carrot of $ 1m
RACING Queensland ( RQ) yesterday outlined a two- year strategy to promote the Queensland Thoroughbred Incentive Scheme ( QTIS) March race, which will see eligible horses race for more than $ 1 million in bonuses and stakes from March 2019.
It follows RQ’s earlier announcement of the new $ 250k QTIS 2YO Jewel and the introduction of the $ 125k QTIS 3YO Jewel, scheduled exclusively for QTIS eligible horses in March 2018.
From March 2019, the 3YO Jewel will rise to $ 165k while QTIS eligible horses will race for a QTIS Double Stakes Bonus.
The QTIS Double Stakes Bonuses will be available for any QTIS eligible winner on any of the seven supporting races on the card.
It means if the winner of the $ 100k Goldmarket Handicap is QTIS eligible, the winning purse of $ 64,000 will double to $ 128,000.
The 2018 QTIS Jewel Series will also deliver regional QTIS Double Stakes Bonuses, with the winners of qualifiers held in Cairns ( 3YO), Townsville ( 2YO), Mackay ( 3YO), Rockhampton ( 2YO) and Toowoomba ( 2YO) receiving ballot- free entry into the rich Jewel events.
RQ Chief executive officer Dr Eliot Forbes said the introduction of the race day reaffirmed RQ’s commitment to the promotion of the Queensland breeding industry through the innovation of programming.
“Racing Queensland realises the importance of the breeding industry in our mission to grow racing for future generations,” Dr Forbes said.
“The 2018 QTIS Jewels and subsequent $ 1 million race day starting in 2019 aims to provide further incentives to breed in Queensland, while providing increased returns to owners, and encouraging further growth at the 2018 March QTIS Magic Millions Yearling Sales.”
Magic Millions managing director Vin Cox said the introduction of the $ 1 million race day was a “tremendous” boost for Queensland participants.
“Racing Queensland should really be congratulated,” he said.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to significantly reward owners and trainers involved with racing a QTIS horse and I’m sure that plenty of them will be targeting a race at the Coast on the day.
“This whole race day will really complement the $ 1 million Magic Millions QTIS Race we hold in January, and there is no question it is a terrific shot in the arm for our March QTIS Yearling Sale, as it gives a real focus to both the weekend and the sale days to follow. It’s an exciting innovation and I’m looking forward to it having a really positive effect in the years to come.”