The weekly fresh food market held at Eagle Farm Racecourse situated at the top end of Racecourse Road, boasts a bustling atmosphere with an average of 3000 shoppers each week.

There will be a magician and a petting zoo for the children, while for the adults there will be fresh food demonstrations.

Renowned chef and Coles ambassador, Andre Tabet, will host cooking demonstrations between 7am and 9am showcasing amazing meals and products on stage whilst James Street Cooking School’s, John Meredith, will demonstrate his creative cooking ideas using fresh ingredients between 9.30am and 11.30am.

Brisbane Broncos players will also be making an appearance and signing autographs between 9am and 10am.

Eagle Farm Markets is held weekly and offers 100 stalls with a wide range of seasonal fresh fruit & vegetable produce as well as a selection of seafood, meats and poultry. Other stalls offer a variety of freshly cut flowers, plants, arts & crafts, clothing, accessories, home decor, sweets, baked goods and gourmet and deli items.

The popular market has flourished and now has a waiting list of stallholders.

The markets Alison Campbell said there are plans to eventually grow the number of stallholders.

“Our customers are looking for variety and a one stop shop for all their fresh food needs,” said Ms Campbell.

The market is open every Sunday between 7am and 12:30pm.

Entry is $2 and parking is plentiful and free.

Visit www.eaglefarmmarkets.com.au for more details.

Race fees and travel expenses for the filly will be covered by the Australasian Challenge, a new invitational scheme designed to attract Australasia's best racing champions to the Channel Seven Brisbane Racing Carnival.

The new initiative, which is jointly funded by the Brisbane Racing Club and Events Queensland, aims to create a unique end of racing season show-down.

Brisbane Racing Club Chairman Bill Sexton said this year’s carnival was going to be better than ever.  

“Great races involve great horses and Invest will definitely make for a great race,” he said.

Horses become eligible for the invitational scheme if they win select sprint legs or Oaks races in Australasia in the lead up to the Channel Seven Brisbane Racing Carnival.

“The winning fillies of the VRC Oaks, WA Oaks, New Zealand Oaks and the ATC Oaks have already been invited,” said Mr Sexton.

In addition, winning sprinters from selected races will be invited to compete in the $1 million Group 1 AAMI Stradbroke.

"The Australasian Challenge will be the ultimate trifecta - the nation’s best horses, in a first class racing carnival, located in the state which has the best winter weather.”

The 2012 Channel Seven Brisbane Racing Carnival will take place at Doomben and Eagle Farm Racecourses between May 12 and June 9.

The $400,000 Treasury Casino QLD Oaks will be run on Saturday June 2 with the $1 million AAMI Stradbroke run a week later on Saturday, June 9. Both events will be held at Eagle Farm Racecourse.

Race fees and travel expenses for the horse will be covered by the Australasian Challenge, a new invitational scheme designed to attract Australasia's best racing champions to the Channel Seven Brisbane Racing Carnival.

The new initiative, which is jointly funded by the Brisbane Racing Club and Events Queensland, aims to create a unique State of Origin style race to attract visitors to Brisbane throughout the carnival.    

Brisbane Racing Club Chairman Bill Sexton said this year’s carnival was going to be better than ever.

"The greatest races always involve great horses," he said.

"Our vision was to create the ultimate showdown of Australasia’s racing champions here in Brisbane, setting a new benchmark in Australian racing which champions our local industry.”

Horses become eligible for the invitational scheme if they win select sprint legs or Oaks races in Australasia in the lead up to the Channel Seven Brisbane Racing Carnival.

“Winning horses from the VRC Oaks, New Zealand Oaks, Western Australian Oaks and Australian Oaks have been invited to compete in the race,” Mr Sexton said. 

Mr Sexton said eligible horses will be invited to compete in the $1 million Group 1 AAMI Stradbroke and the $400,000 Group 1 Treasury Casino Queensland Oaks.  

"The Australasian Challenge will be the ultimate trifecta - the nation’s best horses, in a first class racing carnival, located in the state which has the best winter weather," he said.

This year's Channel Seven Brisbane Racing Carnival will take place at Doomben and Eagle Farm Racecourses between May 12 and June 9.  

The $400,000 Treasury Casino QLD Oaks will be run on Saturday, June 2 with the $1 million AAMI Stradbroke run a week later on Saturday, June 9. Both events will be held at Eagle Farm Racecourse.

Race fees and travel expenses for the Guy Walter trained filly will be covered by the Australasian Challenge, a new invitational scheme designed to attract Australasia's best racing champions to the Channel Seven Brisbane Racing Carnival.

The new initiative, which is jointly funded by the Brisbane Racing Club and Events Queensland, aims to create a unique end of racing season show-down.

Brisbane Racing Club Chairman Bill Sexton said this year’s carnival was going to be better than ever.  

“Great races involve great horses and Streama will definitely make for a great race,” he said.

Horses become eligible for the invitational scheme if they win select sprint legs or Oaks races in Australasia in the lead up to the Channel Seven Brisbane Racing Carnival.

“The winning fillies of the VRC Oaks, WA Oaks and the New Zealand Oaks have already been invited and the winner of the upcoming Australasian Oaks will also receive an invitation to the race,” said Mr Sexton.

In addition, winning sprinters from selected races will be invited to compete in the $1 million Group 1 AAMI Stradbroke.

"The Australasian Challenge will be the ultimate trifecta - the nation’s best horses, in a first class racing carnival, located in the state which has the best winter weather.”

The 2012 Channel Seven Brisbane Racing Carnival will take place at Doomben and Eagle Farm Racecourses between May 12 and June 9.

The $400,000 Treasury Casino QLD Oaks will be run on Saturday June 2 with the $1 million AAMI Stradbroke run a week later on Saturday, June 9. Both events will be held at Eagle Farm Racecourse.

Richard Morrison is a director of Knight Frank Australia Pty Ltd (Brisbane) with significant expertise in sales
and leases of commercial and industrial property in Brisbane.

A racehorse owner, Richard is also a committee member of the Kingston Town Club, a club established by a
group of young Brisbane racing enthusiasts in the early 1980s. The Kingston Town Club raises several
thousand dollars for charity each year.

“We are excited to welcome Richard Morrison as a member of the BRC Board. His perspective and insights
will be invaluable, particularly as we move forward with our Master Plan,” said Bill Sexton, Chairman of the
BRC Board of Directors.

Richard said he is looking forward to this next challenge, taking on his role as a Director of the BRC.

“I am acutely aware of the challenges facing the racing industry today and the need to maximize earnings not
only through racing but also by utilizing the Club’s wider potential,” said Mr Morrison.

Richard’s appointment follows the resignation of Kevin Dixon from the Board of Directors this month and the
subsequent appointment of Bill Sexton to the position of Chairman.

The official Brisbane Racing Carnival Lapel Pin can be purchased by racegoers to wear throughout the carnival and to support one of Queensland’s longest established charities, MontroseAccess which provides therapy, respite and recreation services to more than 600 children and young adults throughout the state.

The Brisbane Racing Carnival Pin and Win is now in its third consecutive year and it’s hoped the 2012 promotion will raise in excess of $20,000.

By purchasing a pin, racegoers will also be in the running to win a share in over $23,000 in prizes including an exclusive first prize trip for two to Hong Kong flying Air Asia with transfers and accommodation.

The runner up will win a $1000 Westfield Chermside gift card and Westfield Chermside personal style session plus flights to Melbourne for the 2012 Melbourne Cup including three nights at Oaks Market Hotel, while third prize is a corporate box at the cricket, rugby and races.

Brisbane Racing Club (BRC) Chief Operating Officer, Darren Condon said the Pin and Win campaign was an opportunity for racing fans to help bring about change in the community.

“Funds raised through this promotion will help MontroseAccess provide services to children with disability,” he said.

“The Brisbane Racing Club is proud to be able to assist through this initiative and I would urge all racing fans to get behind the program and help MontroseAccess achieve their fundraising target of $20,000.”

MontroseAccess Chief Executive Officer Darrel Bourke invited all race goers to dig deep and take part in the Pin and Win campaign to help provide Queensland children with much-needed services and improve their quality of life.

“We are very grateful to the Brisbane Racing Club for allowing us the opportunity to raise funds throughout the 2012 Channel Seven Brisbane Racing Carnival,” he said.

“It takes approximately $10,000 a year for each child that MontroseAccess supports.

“We are a Queensland-based charity, with regional branches across the state to assist children living with physical disabilities, including neuromuscular conditions, juvenile arthritis, acquired brain injury and arthrogryposis.

“Every cent raised through the Pin and Win campaign will make a real difference in their lives.”

In Queensland 1 in 22 children are living with a physical disability.

“Sadly, the number of children we support is increasing every year and we need as much support from the community as we can get,” Mr Bourke said.

“All donations will assist in helping to ensure the region’s children and young adults with physical disabilities get to live a quality life, something we all have a right to.”

Pins are on sale now and retail for $5 each. They can be purchased through Ticketek, along with race day tickets, or at each of the carnival racing events.

Mr Dixon said “It has been an honour to serve for the last three years as the founding Chairman of BRC.

“I did not take this decision lightly and will miss my involvement with BRC greatly.

“I am excited to be offered a role helping to reshape our great industry under the plans being implemented by the LNP Government.

“I know that the Board of BRC will continue to move forward in leaps and bounds.

“I thank the Board, staff and members for their support and assistance through the formation of the BRC and the initial 3 years of its development,” said Mr Dixon.

Current BRC Vice Chairman Mr Bill Sexton will assume the position of Chairman and hold the position until the next election of Directors, expected to be held by November of this year.

Mr Sexton said, “On behalf of all members and Directors of BRC, I wish to thank Kevin for his immense contribution to the Club.

“Kevin has guided our master plan with dedication and expertise and driven improvements to facilities at Doomben and Eagle Farm Racecourses.

BRC looks forward to working with Kevin in his role with Racing Queensland Ltd.”

Mr Sexton advised the Board will determine in due course as to filling the casual vacancy created by Mr Dixon’s resignation.

Gallopers Sports Club, the former Hamilton Bowls Club, has undergone a $1million makeover by owners/operators Brisbane Racing Club (BRC) and will reopen its doors this Thursday, April 19.

Leading architects, Rothe Lowman White, designed the renovation which included the construction of a new outdoor terrace and alfresco cafe, a transformed gaming lounge with close to double the number of machines, new reception and front entrance, a transformed a la carte restaurant and kitchen facilities and a new, full service TAB and keno area fitted out with numerous state-of-the-art television screens.

To celebrate the $1million makeover, the Club is offering $1 memberships (normally $5) for a limited time. Members earn points and receive additional benefits including discounts on dining and drinks.

Gallopers Sports Club General Manager, Chris Anderson, said the Club will launch with a brand new menu.

“Our new menu will offer locals a wide variety of classic meals including chicken parmigiana, steak, pizzas and tacos as well as new twists such as a grilled haloumi, roast pumpkin and cous cous salad or grilled herb and dill marinated salmon,” said Mr Anderson.

Bound to be one of the more popular aspects of the new menu is the daily meal specials priced at a modest $9.90.

The alfresco cafe at Gallopers will be an exciting addition to the precinct and a new breakfast menu will no doubt be popular with locals looking for an alternative early-morning haunt on the weekends.

The menu offers options for the health conscious such as bircher muesli or avocado on toast through to traditional breakfast fare such as eggs benedict or the big breakfast serving up Irish sausage, smoked bacon, eggs anyway you like, cherry tomatoes, hash brown and mushrooms on toast.

“We wanted to introduce breakfast so that locals could stop by on the weekend, meet up with friends and enjoy delicious food in our new and comfortable surrounds,” said Mr Anderson.

Aside from the new restaurant, bar and cafe, Gallopers Sports Club will now also boast a modern, comfortable gaming lounge with 91 gaming machines including many of the newest and latest games, a TAB with state-of-the-art television screens and Keno.

Members who play between Thursday, April 19 and May 20 will go into a draw to win a Toyota Yaris 5Dr Hatch, thanks to Sci Fleet.

“Gallopers is an exciting new and comfortable entertainment hub which will offer something for everyone from coffee lovers, diners and those who love to linger over a relaxing weekend brekkie, to punters and anyone looking to simply be entertained,” said Mr Anderson.

Gallopers Sports Club re-opens this Thursday, April 19 and will be open 7 days a week.

Race fees and travel expenses for Master of Design will be covered by the Australasian Challenge, a new invitational scheme designed to attract Australasia's best racing champions to Brisbane's winter racing carnival.

The new initiative, which is jointly funded by the Brisbane Racing Club and Events Queensland, aims to create a unique end of racing season show-down.

Brisbane Racing Club Chairman Kevin Dixon said he was looking forward to seeing Master of Design in the Sunshine State for what is going to be an epic state of origin style clash.

“The greatest races always involve great horses and Master of Design will definitely make for a great race,” he said.

“Our vision is to create the ultimate showdown of Australasia’s racing champions here in Brisbane, setting a new benchmark in Australian racing which champions our local industry.”

Horses become eligible for the invitational scheme if they win select sprint legs or Oaks races in Australasia in the lead up to the Brisbane Racing Carnival.

Invitations to the million dollar race have already been sent to winners of the Winterbottom Stakes in Western Australia, Telegraph Handicap in New Zealand and Newmarket Handicap in Victoria. The winner of The Goodwood will also be invited to the prestigious race.

“Winning staying fillies from selected races will also be invited to compete in the Group 1 Treasury Casino Queensland Oaks,” Mr Dixon said.

"The Australasian Challenge will be the ultimate trifecta - the nation’s best horses, in a first class racing carnival, located in the state which has the best winter weather.”

Master of Design’s trainer David Payne will have an added $100,000 incentive on offer following a partnership with Brisbane BMW and Westside BMW.

Tickets can be purchased through Ticketek. Visit www.brc.com.au for more details. 

Race fees and travel expenses for the horse will be covered by the Australasian Challenge, a new invitational scheme designed to attract Australasia's best racing champions to the Channel Seven Brisbane Racing Carnival.

The new initiative, which is jointly funded by the Brisbane Racing Club and Events Queensland, aims to create a unique State of Origin style racing show-down to attract visitors to Brisbane throughout the Carnival.     

Brisbane Racing Club Chairman Kevin Dixon said this year’s carnival was going to be better than ever.

"The greatest races always involve great horses," he said.

"Our vision was to create the ultimate showdown of Australasia’s racing champions here in Brisbane, setting a new benchmark in Australian racing which champions our local industry.”

Horses become eligible for the invitational scheme if they win select sprint legs or Oaks races in Australasia in the lead up to the Channel Seven Brisbane Racing Carnival.

Mr Dixon said eligible horses will be invited to compete in the Group 1 AAMI Stradbroke (1400m) and the $400,000 Group 1 Treasury Casino Queensland Oaks (2400m).  

"The Australasian Challenge will be the ultimate trifecta - the nation’s best horses, in a first class racing carnival, located in the state which has the best winter weather," he said.

An invitation to the prestigious race has already been sent to winners of the Winterbottom Stakes, the Newmarket Handiap and the New Zealand Telegraph Stakes.

The winner of the Goodwood Handicap will also be invited

Following a partnership with Brisbane BMW and Westside BMW, winning horses won’t be the only ones celebrating during the carnival.

"Any trainer whose horse places in the top four in both the Doomben 10,000 and the Stradbroke Handicap will have a chance to select 1 of 50 keys which unlock a new BMW 5 Series Sedan with a retail value of $95,139 drive away," Mr Dixon said.

"Should no trainer achieve that feat, the winning trainer of the Stradbroke Handicap will be extended that opportunity.

“We feel this is yet another opportunity to reward trainers for supporting our carnival by preparing their horses to run in our feature events.”

This year's Brisbane Racing Carnival will take place at Doomben and Eagle Farm Racecourses between May 12 and June 9.  

The $1 million AAMI Stradbroke will be run on Saturday, June 9 with the $400,000 Treasury Casino Queensland Oaks run the week earlier on Saturday, June 2. Both events will be held at Eagle Farm Racecourse.