Boost for pacing’s big races

February 15, 2022

CHAMPION driver Anthony Butt predicts Queensland’s Constellations will become Australia’s biggest harness racing carnival.

Off the back of a successful inaugural Constellations last year, Racing Queensland has announced some significant prizemoney increases. 

The marquee race, the Group 1 Blacks A Fake will jump from $250,000 to $350,000 while the Rising Sun will also lift by $50,000 to $300,000. The Rising Sun also includes a $100,000 bonus should a three-year-old win the race, which is restricted to three and four-year-old pacers.

Another time-honoured event, the Group 1 Sunshine Sprint is also up $50,000 to $150,000. 

“This will become a must do carnival for the year. It was so incredibly successful last year. It felt like being back in the glory days of the trots with the great Inter Dominion carnivals.”

Anthony Butt

Champion Kiwi trainer Mark Purdon echoed Butt’s sentiments. 

“Even this far out, we’re looking at Queensland as a big target with a lot of our best horses. The calendar changes make it harder to get a team to Melbourne or Sydney as we always used to do, but Queensland in winter is perfect.”

Mark Purdon

The Constellations, from June 17 – July 23, boasts 11 Group 1 races and more than $2.5 million in prizemoney. 

“The enhancements around the Queensland Constellations continue to go from strength to strength,” RQ CEO Brendan Parnell said. 

Twitter

BY Adam Hamilton

Adam

Australasia’s brightest star, the 2022 TAB Constellations Carnival!

From mid-June through to the end of July, Queensland will be the place to race with over $2.5 million in stakes and bonuses on offer, complemented by the Sunshine State’s stunning weather and social opportunities.

Following on from last year’s successful Carnival, RQ in conjunction with The Creek, Redcliffe & Marburg Clubs, recently announced a raft of enhancements, including new or upgraded races at Albion Park headlined by significant increases to the:

  • Group 1 Blacks A Fake – Rises to $350,000 from $250,000;
  • Group 1 The Rising Sun – Rises to $300,000 from $250,000*; and
  • Group 1 Sunshine Sprint – Rises to $150,000 from $100,000.
  • * The Rising Sun also includes a $100,000 bonus for a three-year-old winner.

The feature carnival will also include the $150,000 Albion Park Gold for 2YOs (graduates of the Brisbane APG Sale) and multiple Derby, Oaks, mares and trotting features.

Feature July Saturday’s at The Creek

July 2

G2 QLD Sun

G3 Paleface Adios

Listed Wondais Mate

Darrell Alexander Trotting Champs Heats (Round 2)

July 9

G1 Rising Sun

G1 Darrell Alexander Trotting Champs Final

G3 Rising Sun Consolation

G3 Mr Feelgood

G3 Fleur De Lil Ladyship

NR60-75 Feature

July 16

G1 Sunshine Sprint

G1 Golden Girl

G1 Albion Park Gold

G2 Trotters Sprint

G3 4yo Champs

G3 Derby

G3 Oaks

July 23

G1 Blacks A Fake

G1 Trotters Cup

G1 QLD Derby

G1 QLD Oaks

G3 JC McMullen

Listed Queen of Hearts

Download the full 2022 TAB Constellations Pocket Guide

General Admission

We offer free admission on all general race meetings, feature race meetings or charity events may have an entry fee. If you are unsure if the day you are attending is a feature race meeting please contact the club on 07 3262 2577.

Dress Code

The minimum dress standard for members of the general public attending The Creek is clean and neat casual dress. Footwear is mandatory at all times. Members of the general public may be refused entry by Club Officials if it is felt that these standards are not being adhered to.

Parking

Free parking is available for all general race day attendees. Our carpark can be accessed via Yulestar St, which is directly across the road from the Breakfast Creek Hotel carpark.

Race Day Facilities

Located within our main Grandstand building you will find Pacers and Chasers Bar & Bistro, TOTE and self serve betting terminals, as well as glass windows and television screens for race viewing. The building has a disabled lift and the grandstand includes a viewing deck for wheelchair access.

Cart item notice
Clear cart Go to checkout