HAVING boosted Stradbroke prizemoney to $2 million, Racing Queensland is now keen to internationalise the Winter Carnival and attract high-class foreign-trained runners.
Melbourne Cup scout Leigh Jordan has been retained as an agent by Racing Queensland to help open the doors of communication with international trainers, starting with Japan and Hong Kong runners. There will also be approaches made to connections of suitable European-based horses.
RQ have made a joint funding application with the Brisbane Racing Club to Tourism and Events Queensland to help turn the Winter Carnival into a truly international event.
“We know this is not going to happen overnight, but this is a five-year strategy that has the potential to take this carnival to another level,” RQ chief executive Darren Condon said.