MY CALL: THE EVA AIR Q22 HAS LANDED. A NEW RACE FOR STRADBROKE DAY IN AN ALTERED CARNIVAL SCHEDULE

By David Fowler | Tuesday, December 17, 2019

David Fowler is the principal thoroughbred caller for Radio TAB. David, who is a keen form student and punter, has enjoyed a lifetime involvement in the racing media. His personal blog, ‘My Call’, appears exclusively on HRO.

A brand new race has landed on the horizon of Queensland racing.

“The Q22”, a weight-for-age 2200m event carrying a $1.5 million purse, will be run on Stradbroke day next year.

Today’s announcement was made by Melbourne Cup winning trainer Danny O’Brien who signalled his intention to target the race with the Cup winner Vow And Declare.

This year’s Brisbane Winter Carnival provided an excellent platform for Vow And Declare’s path to the Cup victory in November.

“Without the Brisbane campaign I don’t think he wins the Melbourne Cup,” O’Brien pointed out today.

O’Brien also pointed out the makeover of the Eagle Farm track as a significant factor to being a Carnival player this year.

After being placed in the Queensland Derby, Vow And Declare easily won the Tattersalls Cup at 2900 metres.

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The introduction of the Q22, sponsored by EVA Air, has seen other Carnival features move from their traditional positions.

The $600,000 Queensland Derby moves back a fortnight (May 23) from its long held position on Stradbroke Day while the $500,000 Queensland Oaks moves forward to May 30 and will be run at 2200 metres.

Their repositioning allows those three-year-olds who win or perform well the opportunity to run in The Q22.

The Q22’s presence has seen the Brisbane Cup return to its traditional distance of 3200 metres, a move that will be applauded by many and another avenue to a potential Melbourne Cup start.

Races such as the Lord Mayor’s Cup and Queensland Guineas will carry ballot-free exemption for the Q22 and EVA Air’s sponsorship commitment has been extended to these races.

Eagle Farm will host the three consecutive Saturdays (May 23, 30 and June 6) after the Doomben 10,000 / Cup on May 9 and 16.

The $1.5m EVA Air Q22 now sits alongside the $1.5m TAB Stradbroke and the $1m J.J. Atkins as the three features on Queensland’s greatest race day.

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