All roads lead to Queensland

A new-look TAB Queensland Summer Harness Racing Carnival is poised to finish the 2019/20 season in style after being released today.

As announced earlier this year, the Group 1 TAB Blacks A Fake – Queensland’s only Grand Circuit event for pacers – will headline the Summer Carnival with features to be held at Albion Park and Redcliffe throughout November and December.

In total, 11 Group races will be staged across the Summer Carnival, including the $175,000 TAB Blacks A Fake, with opportunities for pacers and trotters alike.

While COVID-19 has significantly impacted this year’s racing calendar, RQ COO Adam Wallish said all roads would lead to Queensland to conclude 2019/20.

“It’s a genuinely exciting TAB Queensland Summer Harness Racing Carnival that we’ve been able to pull together,” Mr Wallish said.

“The presence of the Group 1 TAB Blacks A Fake elevates this year’s carnival and provides one final opportunity for Australasia’s premier pacers to snare a Grand Circuit victory.

“With the talent on display at the moment, it promises to be a must-watch affair.

“Given the extension of the season to the end of the calendar year, we’ve made a concerted decision to program opportunities for two-year-olds, three-year-olds, four-year-olds, as well as our open-class horses.”

Having originally been slated for the TAB Queensland Constellations, the Group 2 DJA Trotting Championship returns to summer with the Final to be held at Albion Park on November 28.

The new Trotters Sprint, staged over the flying 1660m, will be held a fortnight later.

On the same night as the DJA, The Be Good Johnny Sprint (Gr3) will provide the perfect lead into the Badcock Feature Race Night highlighting the Gr3 Ted & Edna Badcock Memorial 4YO Championship and the Gr2 Queensland Cup (December 5) and the TAB Blacks A Fake Night (December 12).

Albion Park Harness Racing Club Executive Manager Scott Steele said they were thrilled with this year’s carnival.

“What an outstanding collection of feature races we have for our Summer Carnival,” Mr Steele said.

“With the quality of horses that will be on display during the Carnival, I have no doubt Albion Park will be a sell out with the  corporate industry  taking the opportunity to host their Christmas parties at this ideal time.

“Hopefully COVID-19 restrictions will be relaxed further by carnival time allowing us to showcase our industry to as many people as can be safely permitted.”

In addition to the Group events, Redcliffe Harness Racing Club will round out the carnival, with the open class Christmas Cup to be joined by feature races for both two and three-year-olds.

“The Redcliffe Christmas Cup is a great to finish off what has been a very trying racing season,” Mr Ring said.

“With no Derby or Oaks this year, it’s pleasing to see the Northgate Comfort n Suites Redcliffe Guineas and a further $10,000 Open feature.”

Click here to see the full program for the 2020 TAB Queensland Summer Harness Racing Carnival.