Saturday, 26 January 2019: Prize money increases of $1.7 million and a return to historic Eagle Farm headline a number of exciting changes to the 2019 TAB Queensland Winter Racing Carnival.

Horses will race for $18.4 million across the carnival which counts the likes of The Autumn Sun, Santa Ana Lane, Redzel, Youngstar, Lean Mean Machine and Dark Dream as recent graduates to enjoy success in the spring or overseas.
Racing Queensland CEO Brendan Parnell said the increases aimed to attract more emerging stars to Queensland across the winter period.
“It is hoped this will enhance the carnival’s reputation as a nursery for Australasia’s emerging two-year-old and three-year-old stars,” Parnell said.
The two-year-olds will now race for $2 million across the program with the BRC Sires’ increased to $400,000 and the Champagne Stakes to $200,000.
The G1 sprinting ‘Triple Crown’ – the Doomben 10,000, Kingsford-Smith Cup and Stradbroke Handicap - will now offer total prize money of $3 million.
“Prize money for the Doomben 10,000 will be increased to $800,000 to reflect its status as one of Australia’s top 10 races on ratings,” Parnell said.
Middle-distance and staying types will have plenty of incentives to head north with more than $2 million up for grabs across the Hollindale Stakes ($500,000), Doomben Cup ($700,000) O’Shea Stakes ($400,000) and Brisbane Cup ($400,000).
The $1.5 million TAB Stradbroke Handicap also returns to its traditional home at Eagle Farm for the first time since 2016.
While Eagle Farm has returned to the racing calendar, the 2019 Winter Carnival will not revert to the traditional calendar as the track is taken carefully through its first year back.
Accordingly, this will mean that the 2019 Treasury Queensland Oaks will be held at Doomben.
As previously announced, prizemoney for all Group 3 races will be a minimum $140,000 and Listed races at $125,000.
2019 TAB Queensland Winter Racing Carnival – Key prizemoney increases
• A.D.Hollindale Stakes (Group 2) – from $358,000 to $500,000;
• Doomben 10,000 (Group 1) – from $700,000 to $800,000;
• Champagne Classic (Group 2) – from $175,000 to $200,000;
• Doomben Cup (Group 1) – from $650,000 to $700,000;
• Bill Carter Stakes (Listed) – from $100,000 to $200,000;
• BRC Sires’ Produce (Group 2) – from $250,000 to $400,000;
• P. J. O’Shea Stakes (Group 2) – from $200,000 to $400,000;
• Brisbane Cup (Group 2) – from $300,000 to $400,000