2021 TAB Queensland Winter Racing Carnival Launch Wrap Up

 

The 2021 TAB Queensland Winter Racing Carnival, featuring Stradbroke Season, was off to a flying start on Thursday, with the official launch at Eagle Farm Racecourse. 

The first meeting of the carnival, Treasury Brisbane Queensland Guineas Day, will be held this Saturday at Eagle Farm. There is more than $15 million in prizemoney up for grabs across the six race meetings of this year’s Stradbroke Season. 

Racing Queensland Chief Executive Officer Brendan Parnell and Mr Lance McCallum, Assistant Minister for Hydrogen Development and the 50% Renewable Energy Target by 2030 welcomed guests and highlighted what’s in store over the carnival. 

Australian Racing Hall of Fame trainer Lee Freedman, seven-times Brisbane Metropolitan Premiership winning trainer Tony Gollan, Melbourne Cup and Cox Plate winning jockey Michael Rodd and Australian Racing Hall of Fame jockey Glen Boss took to the stage to discuss their carnival memories and ambitions after earlier watching former star Queensland gallopers Buffering and Temple Of Boom parade up the Eagle Farm straight.

Last year’s J.J. Atkins winner Rothfire also paraded in his first public appearance since surgery following last year’s Golden Rose. 

Former Victorian, now Brisbane based jockey Stephanie Thornton, one of the state’s leading riders, spoke as the official Brisbane Racing Club Ambassador ahead of a key book of rides on Saturday, which include Holyfield in the Group 2 Queensland Guineas. 

“Since my move from Victoria I’ve looked forward to taking part in the winter racing carnival,” she said. 

“I’m excited to join the BRC in time for Stradbroke Season. It’s a great opportunity for me to take part in all the action both on and off the track.” 

The BRC’s Fashion ambassador Damien Anthony Rossi, marking his fifth year as a racing ambassador, previewed the racewear trends for the upcoming race days. 

BRC’s Chief Executive Officer, Tony Partridge, said there was a great deal of excitement and anticipation surrounding this year’s events after COVID-19 restricted last year’s carnival. 

“Winter racing is the pinnacle period within the Queensland racing calendar,” he said. 

“We are excited to finally invite our members and racegoers to Stradbroke Season, a carnival two years in the making.

“The racetrack is the perfect place to embrace Queensland winter, the best time to be in Brisbane.”

Guests at the launch were treated to a sample of the cuisine and hospitality that will be on offer during the carnival. 

Book your tickets & hospitality packages at brc.com.au