Ticket has really struck gold!

Caption: An interesting flashback – Sennachie, trained by Steven White, wins the inaugural Golden Ticket in 2019, while in the care of South-East Queensland trainers Mick (pictured) and Selena Zammit. Jay Is Jay (Sennachie x Kealoah) won the 2023 version for Mick and Selena. (Photo: Box 1 Photography)

By Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club CEO LUKE GATEHOUSE

Yes, I am biased, but I have no doubt the Brisbane club boasts the most eye-catching feature of any carnival across Australia.

While there are many high points in this current Golden Greys Summer Carnival, the Golden Ticket is the one that genuinely creates viewer fixation.

You just can’t look away!

Everything about the concept is unique and keeps the carnival momentum rolling as we head towards Group 1 night on February 1.

The two-week Golden Ticket series starts with four, four-dog heats, on January 11.

First and second from those four heats move through to the ‘final round’ (January 18), where the dogs are paired in match races.

The two fastest are paired, then the next two fastest, etc.

From these four match races, the fastest of the four winners is declared the recipient of the Golden Ticket.

That dog not only collects $60,000, but also gets direct entry into the $250,000-to-the-winner Gold Bullion (final February 1).

The whole concept is action-packed and exciting. The smaller fields highlight the skill sets of our fastest greyhounds.

The match-racing is compelling viewing.

Then, of course, we had the added drama last year of local hero, Jay Is Jay, and awesome interstater, Throttle, both winning their match-race in 29.52.

The ‘dead heat’ had to be split. There is only one Golden Ticket.

So, two names went ‘in the hat’ and … out came Jay Is Jay.

It was great theatre, something you can’t put a dollar value on.

This year will be the fifth running of the Golden Ticket and some key values are just now being realised. Firstly, the Golden Ticket is a true form guide with all ticket holders so far winning or placing second in the Gold Bullion:

2019: Sennachie (first in Gold Bullion);

2021: Crazy Cool (second);

2022: Kooringa Lucy (second);

2023: Jay Is Jay (second).

Also, the penny has finally dropped with the interstate kennels, who now understand the Golden Ticket concept and what a massive ‘leg up’ it provides into a Group 1 event.

Expect to see a lot more interest from ‘the invaders’ in this upcoming series.

Another sensational innovation for this year’s Golden Greys carnival is the elevation of the 600m Golden Sands feature to Group 1 status.

The heats of this race are on Wednesday, December 27, with the final Thursday, January 4.

The increased status of this race comes at a time when we have seen an explosion in the number of quality local 600m dogs.

There was a time when 35 seconds all but guaranteed you a win over this distance at The Creek. Now the top chasers are regularly hitting the line around the 34.70 mark.

Of course, the boost in prizemoney across middle distance and staying events has enticed more trainers to try their dogs over longer distance.

Two more carnival high points, the Bogie Leigh Futurity and Queensland Derby (heats December 28, finals January 4) will also showcase the amount of young talent coming through.

Both these age-restricted races (for chasers under 30 months) are annually a great guide to what our racing future looks like, and the future appears to be very bright.

The recent Rising Stars feature held at Albion Park in mid-November certainly indicated that.

Frequent Brisbane visitor, Sydney’s Craig Chappelow, took out that event with his very smart Overflow Beau, but there were plenty of local youngsters strutting their stuff impressively.

So, with the New Year’s clock about to tick over and The Q a shining light on the 2024 horizon, it really is a great time to be part of greyhound racing in the Sunshine State.

It is going to be a very happy New Year.

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