Queensland Winter Carnival Hits New Heights

MORE than $3 million in prize money across seven frenetic weeks of racing headlines the fast approaching 2024 Queensland Winter Greyhound Racing Carnival. 

No less than 11 group and listed races will be decided during the lucrative carnival highlighted by the staging of the $1 million Sky Racing Brisbane Cup (520m).

Boasting an eye-watering $650,000 to winning connections, the time-honoured feature, slated for July 4, is being earmarked by connections of the best sprinters in the land, including recent Golden Easter Egg heroine Mackenna.

But for an interstate raider to claim the rich feature they'll need to overpower local superstar Jay Is Jay, which if successful in the race, will become just the second greyhound in the sport's history to surpass $2 million in prize money earnings.

While the carnival kickstarts with the hugely popular QGold race meeting for Queensland bred greyhounds on May 16, things really heat up a fortnight later for the heats of the Group 1 Flying Amy Classic (520m).

Queensland's richest age restricted feature – with $225,000 up for grabs – will this year be staged for the first time with group 1 status, only adding to its appeal as one of the sport's most coveted races.

"The Queensland Winter Greyhound Racing Carnival has solidified its status as the place to chase, continually enticing Australia's top greyhounds to the Sunshine State," Racing Queensland CEO Jason Scott said.

"The Brisbane Cup remains the crowning jewel, however we are as excited to bestow the Flying Amy with Group 1 status whilst also honouring one of our champion chasers in Cyndie's Magic. 

"With the new home of Queensland greyhound racing – The Q – nearing completion at the end of the year, there truly is no more exciting time to be involved in the code."

State rivalry will be on the line on Thursday, June 14 when the State of Origin Greyhound Series is run and won between NSW and Queensland.

The series will feature both the Origin Sprint and Origin Distance (worth $150,000 apiece) along with the $60,000 two-dog match race, where competing chasers will be selected by the two states.

The 2024 Origin will be staged under a cloud of sadness following the tragic recent passing of Terry Hill whose passion for State Of Origin and greyhound racing went a long way to making the series what it is today.

The carnival begins on May 16 and runs through until July 4 which will see the Brisbane Cup and Queensland Cup staged at group 1 level.

KEY CARNIVAL DATES AND PRIZEMONEY