3 minute read
The Canberra Racing Club is delighted to announce the that the Aquis Park – Golf Coast Turf Club Canberra Speed Series and Aquis Park – Gold Coast Turf Club Clan O’Sullivan for two-year-olds will return in 2023/2024.
Up to $450,000, the Canberra Speed Series covers three exciting two-year-old races, culminating in the Group 3 John McGrath Auto Group Black Opal Stakes. A bonus of $100,000 will be offered to the owners of any horse who wins all three races.
| Date | Race | Conditions | Prizemoney |
| Friday, 29 December | Aquis Park – Gold Coast Turf Club Clan O’Sullivan | 1000m 2YO Open Handicap | $50,000 |
| Friday, 23 February | ETS Refrigeration and Airconditioning Black Opal Preview | 1000m 2YO Open Handicap | $50,000 |
| Sunday, 10 March | John McGrath Auto Group Black Opal Stakes | 1200m Group 3 2YO Set Weights & Penalties | $250,000 |
Canberra Racing Club Chief Executive Darren Pearce is hopeful of again attracting quality fields across the series, with multiple subsequent stakes wins coming from the 2023 Black Opal Stakes.
“This series and bonus helped us drive one of the best Black Opal fields in recent memory in 2023.” Pearce said.
“Gai & Adrian’s Autumn Ballet was an impressive winner of the race and has since won more black type as a three-year-old, while Tiz Invincible who was fourth in the Opal went on to dominate the Princess series in the Spring.”
With up to $450,000 in prizemoney available in the Aquis Park – Gold Coast Turf Club Canberra Speed Series, Canberra Racing Club Chief Executive Darren Pearce said “The Group 3 John McGrath Auto Group Black Opal Stakes holds an important place on the Autumn racing calendar.”
“With the introduction of this series and bonus last year, we saw a brilliant Black Opal Stakes field to celebrate the 50th anniversary of our great race.”
“The race has produced some serious stars over the years with locals Catbird, who won the Golden Slipper, Clan O’Sullivan of course and Group One winners Epaulette, Criterion and Trapeze Artist.”
The Aquis Park – Gold Coast Turf Club Canberra Speed Series will begin with the $50,000 Aquis Park – Gold Coast Turf Club Clan O’Sullivan, held 15 days prior to the Magic Millions 2YO Classic and represents a great lead up for horses looking to gain a place in the $2m feature.
Both the Clan O’Sullivan and the Black Opal Preview will hold ballot exemption for the Group 3 Black Opal Stakes for the first two horses past the post.