Queensland races at Brisbane Racing Club announced as part of World Pool

Brisbane Racing Club and the Eagle Farm Racecourse are set to host a series of World Pool races this winter. The Queensland Derby and Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup on Saturday, June 1 will be broadcast live to horse racing betting fans in Hong Kong and around the world along with the Group 3 Lord Mayors Cup and Fred Best Classic races.  
 
This news comes on the heels of these races recently being added to the list of world’s top 100 Group One races by the IFHA.  

Queensland races selected for World Pool 

Queensland and the Brisbane Racing Club were one of the biggest winners of this weekend’s World Pool announcement from the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC). Eight new World Pool races were announced on May 10th, including two in Queensland.  
 
On Saturday, June 1, the Queensland Derby and Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup will be broadcast all around the world for punters to bet on. Those international bets will be a boon for Brisbane racing and affect the pari-mutuel betting odds at Eagle Farm Racecourse in Ascot.  
 
The Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap on June 15 will also be broadcast around the world as a part of Queensland’s World Pool races.   
 
In addition to these major, marquee races, the Group 3 Lord Mayors Cup and Fred Best Classic, both on June 1, and the Group 2 Q22 on June 15th will also be broadcast in Hong Kong and globally.  

HKJC talks up Queensland partnership 

Hong Kong and Australia horse racing have always shared a close relationship. This is especially true of Queensland and Hong Kong. Hall of Fame trainer John Size and top Hong Kong jockey Zac Purton both got their start in Queensland. According to the HKJC, maintaining this relationship is key for both the organisation and Brisbane Racing.  
 
HKJC Head of Commingling Sam Nati said bringing World Pool races to Queensland was a part of the club’s long-term plans and that it was an easy decision once Queensland races were added to the IFHA top 100 list.  
 
“We ultimately want to have a World Pool on all IFHA Top 100 Group 1 races,” said Nati, “Given that the Kingsford Smith Cup and Stradbroke Handicap were in the list last year it gave us the perfect platform.” 

World Pool a “major milestone” 

Queensland is now the third Australian state to host World Pool races. Brisbane Racing Club higher ups reflected on this achievement over the weekend.  
 
Brisbane Racing Club chairman Neville Bell said “To join the World Pool is a milestone our club has worked towards with HKJC for over a decade through building strong relationships and innovating our program of feature races. 
 
“We are most grateful for this acknowledgment from Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges and his team who have worked closely with Sky Racing and our executives. 
 
“Winfried’s vision and leadership in bringing jurisdictions together to promote racing around the world is unparalleled.”