Throughout the months of December, January and February RQ conducted a trial of Open Masters races across all tracks and various distances in Queensland.

The trial has now concluded with the outcome being that only three of the ten programmed races received sufficient nominations for a field to be drawn (Albion Park 395m, Ipswich 288m, Bundaberg 460m).

RQ will now review the outcomes of the trial and consider future programming of Open Masters races in Queensland.

Upcoming feature races

The Queensland Racing Industry is proud to support International Women’s Day on Monday 8^th March.

Albion Park will play host to a Women Trainer’s 5^th Grade 520m event on Thursday 4^th March to celebrate the occasion.

On the night there will be handlers jackets for all runners in the Women Trainer’s race, a winning rug and trophy, and a hamper for the winning trainer.

With the 431m Ipswich Auction series in the books, attention turns to the Group 3 520m Ipswich Auction Series, which will see the pups sold in the 2018 Auction battle for group race glory and the $40,000 winners’ cheque.

The three-week series will kick off with heats on Saturday 3^rd April. There will be three semi-finals on Saturday 10^th April with the finale on Saturday 17^th April.

Albion Park hosts the Winged Runner Trophy on 22^nd April 2021 ($17,800), with the best bitches in Queensland aiming to etch their name into the record books and join an illustrious list of previous winners including Cyndie’s Magic, Wise Misty, Regal Topaz and Frieda Las Vegas.

Rockhampton has again secured a Friday Night slot for the final of the Group 3 Rockhampton Cup.

Heats will be run on Friday 23^rd April in the afternoon, with the final the following Friday night, 30^th April 2021.

The carnival will also include a Cup Consolation 510m ($7,875), the Rocky Carnival Sprint 407m ($3,675) and the three-week Rocky Carnival 4^th/5^th grade 407m series. Ipswich will race on Wednesdays (instead of Friday) on 21 April and 28 April to accommodate the Rockhampton Cup.