The Listed Calaway Gal Stakes will be run during the Brisbane Winter Carnival and pre-Christmas Phelan Ready Stakes will be opened up to two-year-old fillies under the latest changes made to the summer programming by Racing Queensland.
The state’s racing regulator has implemented a raft of alterations to its schedule in recent months - including scrapping a Friday night Magic Millions eve meeting on the Gold Coast next January - and on Monday Racing Queensland announced the latest movements.
The new-look five-week summer carnival, starting at Eagle Farm on November 30, will see the running of the $200,000 Group 2 George Moore Stakes and the 1000m Phelan Ready for juveniles.
The Calaway Gal for fillies and the Phelan Ready, both Listed races, have struggled to attract full fields in recent years, leading to the change.
The Phelan Ready will be the main Queensland lead-up into the Group 3 BJ McLachlan Stakes (1200m) on December 21, a race used by many Magic Millions 2YO Classic contenders.
In other changes confirmed this week:
- The Gateway will now be open to three and four-year-olds for the first time at Weight For Age conditions, with a berth in the $3 million Stradbroke Handicap on offer.
- Winning connections of The Gateway will again have the option to run their own horse or negotiate to designate their slot to one of the horses nominated, and in the top 40 order of entry, for the Stradbroke.
- The three-year-old staying programme remains a feature of the Summer Carnival, with the Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes now run over 1800 metres on December 14.
- The $300,000 event is positioned three weeks from The Wave over the same distance on January 4, which is now open to all Magic Millions Race Series nominated horses aged three and up.
- The Eagle Way has also been re-positioned to allow three-year-olds the option to race over 2100 metres on December 28.
Racing Queensland chief executive Jason Scott said the reshaped programme ensured the carnival was the “must race summer destination”.
“In recent years, Magic Millions 2YO Classic champions like Storm Boy and Coolangatta have made their name in Brisbane before going on to frank their form by tasting the ultimate success at the Gold Coast,” Scott said.
“Similarly, The Gateway continues to unearth future champions of the sport, with subsequent Group 1 winners Vega One and Apache Chase securing their spots in the Stradbroke via the race.”
