Racing Queensland’s announcement of major prize money boosts for the winter carnival has been well received by the Brisbane racing industry.
RQ confirmed the Stradbroke Handicap would increase to $2 million and join the Magic Millions 2YO Classic as the richest races in Queensland.
It is now second only to Sydney’s TJ Smith Stakes as the richest sprint in Australia.
All other Group One races will be set at a minimum of $500,000 and all black-type races will now carry minimum stakes of $100,000.
The carnival will start at the Gold Coast on April 25 and will include the Group Two Victory Stakes, previously run at Eagle Farm.
Champion jockey Chris Munce said the increases were a great boost for the carnival and brought it into line with major Sydney and Melbourne racing events.