Ipswich prizemoney boost starts

RACING Queensland chairman Steve Wilson has welcomed a State Government decision to make available funds for an immediate 17% prizemoney increase.

John Brasch

DOGWATCH

RACING Queensland chairman Steve Wilson has welcomed a State Government decision to make available funds for an immediate 17% prizemoney increase for the greyhound code.

Co-funded by the government and Racing Queensland, the increase is to be distributed according to the code's revenue market share.

Greyhounds will receive an increase of $3.5 million, of which it's aim to progress industry viability concerns, boost grassroots participation and improve cash flow for participants and owners.

"I would again like to thank the government for its willingness to engage with all three codes to address industry viability and long-term sustainability," Wilson said.

Racing Queensland CEO Brendan Parnell said RQ has consulted with representatives from greyhound regarding the prizemoney allocation and will rollout the new distribution from December 1.

"We have made a commitment to government to continue investigating industry reforms and sustainability measures across all codes," Parnell said. "Once those reform measures are agreed, we will work with the greyhound industry to realise a further $1.25 million in participant increases, during 2019.''

As of December 1, the Ipswich club prizemoney will be:

For Saturday night Class 2 meetings: Maiden/Graded races over 520, 630 and 732m - overall $3150, 1st $2100, 2nd $600, 3rd $300 and re introduction of 4th place prizemoney of $150. Open/Finals over 520, 630 and 732m: overall $3415, 1st $2275, 2nd $650, 3rd $325, 4th $165. Maiden/Graded races over 288/431m: overall $2625, 1st $1750, 2nd $500, 3rd $250 ,4th $125. Open/Finals over 288/431m: overall $2890, 1st $1925, 2nd $550, 3rd $275, 4th $140. Ipswich Cup heats 520m: overall $5775, 1st $3850, 2nd $1100, 3rd $550, 4th $275.

For Tuesday and Friday Class 3 meetings: Maiden/Graded races over 520/630 and 732m - overall $2625, 1st $1750, 2nd $500, 3rd $250, 4th $125. Open/Finals over 520, 630, and 732m: overall $2890, 1st $1925 2nd $550, 3rd $275, 4th $140. Maiden/Graded races over 288/431m: overall $2100, 1st $1400, 2nd $400, 3rd $200, 4th $100. Open/Finals over 288/431m: overall $2365, 1st $1575, 2nd $450, 3rd $225, 4th $115.

Appearance fees will rise to $50 per starter at a meeting.

Russell's big night

IPSWICH hosted a successful Thursday night program last week featuring the Group 3 Ipswich Gold Cup.

Fab Fit, trained by Darren Russell, was able to lead from box 7.

With first turn trouble behind her, Fab Fit was able to steal a march on her rivals mid-race and was able to hold off fast-finishing favourite Cosmic Bonus to score by a margin of 1 3/4 lengths, in 30.43 for the 520m trip.

It was Russell's first training win in the Group 3 feature. Fab Fit won the Casino Cup back in October she has won 17 of her 53 career starts.

It was a big night for Russell, who also trained the winner of the Ipswich Sprint. Go Lassie Go sizzled around the 431m course clocking 24.58, which was 1/100 off the track record held by Bubble Guppy.

Russell quinelled the race with Lobcha running second.

A large crowd was on hand to witness the great night of racing.

The Thursday night timeslot proved popular with racegoers and betting turnover on and off course showing it was the right move by the club and Racing Queensland to hold this feature meeting on this night.

The club will look at hosting more feature nights on a Thursday if granted.

Best bet

IPSWICH racing returns to normal timeslots this week, with a 10 event program today starting at 2.59pm.

My best bet for the program is in race 8 at 5.18pm. It's box 3 hope Aim, trained by Terry Guymer.

The on track racebook Pick 7 competition has jackpotted today to $7800.

All you need to do is be on track, purchase a racebook and fill out the entry form, selecting who you think will win races 4 to 10 on the program. If you do, that jackpot amount is yours.

Ipswich will race on Saturday night with a 10-event card from 5.04pm.

My best bet is Race 6 box 1 runner Amaretto Hayze at 6.54pm.

Amaretto has been runner-up the past three starts, suited from box 1.

Muzzles Restaurant is open for dinner on Saturday night with a snack bar and tote facilities available at all Ipswich meetings.

Capalaba boost

THE Capalaba Greyhound Racing Club, in operation for over 70 years, will break new ground on Sunday week by becoming a Tab/Sky Racing /Radio covered venue.

Capalaba have raced non-TAB on a Saturday afternoon for many years but will be switching to the Sunday timeslot as of next week with races commencing at 10.05am local time.

It will be a class 5 meeting with prizemoney being raised from current non-TAB prizemoney to TAB status prizemoney.

Maiden and Graded races will carry $1575 overall with 1st $1050 2nd $300 3rd $150 and 4th $75.

Open/Finals races overall $1840, 1st $1225, 2nd $350, 3rd $175, $90.

On December 9, the club have programmed a Best 8 worth $10,000 in overall prizemoney.

The club also announced during the week their flagship race the Capalaba Cup will be renamed in honour of the late Con Sciacca, a former popular local political and great supporter of the Capalaba Club for many years and patron of the club.

The Con Sciacca Capalaba Cup will be afforded Group 3 status in 2019 and be worth an overall $37,500.

Many trainers from the Ipswich area are great supporters of the bayside track.

Originally published as Ipswich prizemoney boost starts