Organisers of Birdsville Races, Outback Queensland’s richest two-day race meet have announced the full race program for the 2017 event.
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Now in its 135th year, the 13-race program offers up a combined $200,000 prize-purse, plus a further $12,500 in QTIS (Queensland Thoroughbred Incentive Scheme) bonuses – making it one of the most lucrative and unique outback thoroughbred race experiences in Australia.
The iconic green starters’ gates will roll out on September 1 and 2 as more than 7000 racegoers flock to the “Melbourne Cup of the Outback”.
Several races have moved from class-based handicaps to benchmark races, as well as the introduction of a second 1600m race – the $12,500 Benchmark 55 Handicap on September 1.
“The changes in the 2017 program will provide greater options for owners and trainers, giving more opportunities for horses suited over longer distances,” Birdsville Race Club Vice President Gary Brook said.
The 2017 race program is headlined by the $35,000 Birdsville Cup (1600m) on Saturday, September 2.
Four other feature races will offer up big prize money across both Friday and Saturday race days, including the $20,000 Open Handicap (1200m), $15,000 Class 1 Handicap (1,200m), $15,000 Class 5 Handicap (1200m) and $15,000 Class 2 Handicap (1200m) – the latter of which is worth $22,500 for QTIS fillies.
“Owners, trainers and jockeys that have been bringing horses to Birdsville religiously for more than 20 years will also notice the difference travel-wise due to road upgrades since the last event,” Mr Brook said.
Also new in 2017, the winner of the 1600m Betoota Cup on August 26 will receive an exemption from the ballot and secure automatic entry into the Birdsville Cup (if nominated) – the first time this has been awarded in the 135-year history of the Birdsville Races.
In 2016, the Birdsville Races achieved 121 acceptances to the race-field. History was made when Perth-based jockey Kayla Cross rode to victory on the Heather Lehmann-trained Moore Alpha – the first time an all-female jockey-trainer duo had taken out the Birdsville Cup in 134 years.