The Moreton Cup is set to become the first Group status race run under lights in Queensland.

The Group Two race was formerly known as the QTC Cup and run at Eagle Farm since 1979.

Because of the extended closure of Eagle Farm, the race will be run at the Sunshine Coast on June 2.

It is a traditional lead-up to the Group One Stradbroke Handicap on June 9.

Racing Queensland has been running nine- race cards this season in an effort to boost turnover and had been successful during the summer.

But with the end of daylight saving in the southern states and earlier nightfall the meetings have had to start before noon which has had an impact on turnover.

RQ’s general manager of racing, Simon Stout, said having a major meeting at the Sunshine Coast provided an opportunity to race under lights for the last part of the meeting.

“The last two races at the June 2 meeting will be run under lights. At this stage the Moreton Cup will be one of those races,” he said.

The Listed Weetwood Handicap has been run under lights at Toowoomba but it will be the first time for a Group race in Queensland.

Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au