SEVEN race clubs will be replaced as hosts for the 2020 rendition the Battle Of The Bush series.
Bundaberg, Cunnamulla, Home Hill, Mareeba, Nanango, Thangool and Warwick will lose hosing duties after RQ unveiled new venues and the readmission of another for the forthcoming series.
Burrandowan, Charters Towers, Gayndah, Innisfail, Jandowae and Quilpie will each host a qualifying heat as will Emerald, which returns to the fold, ahead of the series climax in the $125,000 Final in Brisbane in June 20.
The series final, which also provides a $30,000 bonus to the winner if it is a Queensland Thoroughbred Incentive Scheme registered horse, will be part of the program for the Tatt's Tiara raceday.
The series opens at the Quilpie Diggers Race Club meeting on May 2 and will again feature 16 qualifiers (two per country region) across the state, with the final heats to be staged at Barcaldine Race Club and Gayndah Jockey Club on June 6, respectively.
Quilpie president Sam Bartlett said their inclusion was heartening given their circumstances.
"This is great news for the wider community but for a club which has only one meeting a year it is especially heartening and we cannot wait," Mr Bartlett said.
"We usually get a good crowd to this day with people coming in from Brisbane and some from interstate but to host a premier race on our own Cup day will give it added importance."
Likewise, Emerald Jockey Club spokeswoman Kristy Peters said it was exciting to return to the series after hosting a qualifier in 2018 before missing out last year.
"We are very excited because the numbers of people and horses will be up considering the value of the race and the whole day will be buzzing," Ms Peters said.
"It gives us a wonderful opportunity to put our fabulous town on the map."
State Racing Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the series showcased country racing and it had become a highlight on calendar.
"It has energised the regions and provided our country participants with the perfect opportunity to race in town on a Group 1 raceday," Mr Hinchliffe said.
RQ's Chief Operating Officer Adam Wallish hopes the inclusion of new host clubs encourages further participation in a "fantastic event".
May 2 Quilpie Diggers Race Club Newmarket Open Plate (1100m), May 9 Burrandowan Picnic Race Club Open Plate (1175m), Gordonvale Turf Club Open Plate (1100m), Longreach Jockey Club Open Plate (1100m), Mount Isa Race Club Open Plate (1100m), May 10 Towers Jockey Club Open Plate (1200m), May 16 Emerald Jockey Club Open Plate (1200m), Central Warrego Race Club Newmarket Open Hcp (1200m), Jandowae Race Club Open Plate (1200m), May 23 Innisfail Turf Club Open (1200m), May 30 Bowen Turf Club Open (1200m), Cloncurry and District Race Club Open (1200m), Gladstone Turf Club Open (1200m), Goondiwindi Race Club Open (1200m), June 6 Gayndah Jockey Club Open (1200m), Barcaldine Racing Club Open (1200m) and June 20 Series Final (1200m).
Alan Welburn
Lover of sport, particularly horse racing and all things Olympic. Have spent my entire working life in journalism, mostly with News Corp on its major metro mastheads. Done plenty of things but the best by far is having a teenage son who calls me dad.
Lover of sport, particularly horse racing and all things Olympic. Have spent my entire working life in journalism, mostly with News Corp on its major metro mastheads. Done plenty of things but the best by far is having a teenage son who calls me dad.
