Queensland feature prize money slashed by three-quarters - what’s in store for us?

New Zealand racing participants could be in for a shock when the calendar for the next four months is released on Friday if the demolition of Queensland’s winter carnival is any guide.

First canned, but now ressurected, a six-week Queensland carnival will see prizemoney slashed by more than three-quarters, with only half the usual feature races being held.

Gone are the Doomben 10,000, Queensland Derby, Queensland Oaks, Doomben Cup, Brisbane Cup and Queensland Guineas.

The only two Group I races remaining on June 6 are the iconic Stradbroke Handicap which will be run on June 6 for a stake of A$350,000, down on last year’s $A1.5 million and the JJ Atkins two-year-old feature which will also carry the same purse.

The Stradbroke stake takes the game back 35 years to the A$355,000 purse raced for by Canterbury Belle, who took the then 1985 Elders Handicap. Even when Kiwi legend Rough Habit won his second Straddie in 1992, the stake was A$745,000.

Just 26 black type races will be run this year for prizemoney of between A$85,000 and A$175,000, compared with the 69 races run last year.

Queensland Racing CEO Brendan Parnell said prize money cuts, forced by COVID-19, would hurt.

“These are the salaries and wages that sustain our industry – but we are committed to providing our participants with hope as they navigate the social, economic and health challenges during this turbulent period.”

The only two races for open stayers will be the A$125,000 Chairmans Handicap (2000m) at Doomben on May 30 and the A$175,000 Tatts Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 13.

Existing restrictions limiting jockeys, trainers and other licensed personnel to their designated racing zones will remain in place, however Racing Queensland will now allow conditional horse movement between zones for the purposes of racing.

When government regulations allow it, horses will also be able to move inter-state via transport providers, providing strict protocols are followed.

Horses transferring between existing Queensland zones will be required to do so by 12pm on the day before their race, while inter-state horses must have completed their journey prior to acceptance time of their nominated race.

New Zealand industry chiefs will be grappling with similar issues for carnivals here, the traditional New Zealand Cup week at Addington in November one of the first major challenges.