This Saturday, May 15, Queensland’s scenic Doomben Racecourse will host a terrific day of racing and celebrations with Racefest marking the official opening of the 2010 Channel Seven Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival.

The Brisbane winter carnival is the most prestigious and highly anticipated series of meetings held in Queensland with Doomben hosting the first three race days, followed by two elite race meetings at Brisbane’s other premier track, Eagle Farm.

The $400,000 BTC Cup (1200m) is the first Group 1 race of the carnival and will be the headline event this Saturday.

In total there are seven Group 1 races held at the Brisbane Carnival including the most lucrative and prestigious of them all, the $1 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) on June 12 at Eagle Farm.

The Stradbroke Handicap is held on the carnival’s most important day of racing, as it is the only meeting to feature multiple Group 1 events.

The $500,000 TJ Smith (1600m) for two-year-olds at set weights, and the $500,000 Queensland Derby (2400m) for three-year-olds are the other two Group 1 events on Stradbroke Handicap Day, which is the final official meeting of the Brisbane Winter Carnival.

As always, Queensland horse trainers and owners will be working hard to stop the interstate raiders from dominating and try to keep some of the big wins in the Sunshine State.

And Brisbane race goers have plenty to look forward to as the Brisbane Racing Club (BRC) have a range of big events and entertainment planned throughout the next few months.

On May 22 for the Kirks Doomben Cup Day, Packed to the Rafters stars will be oncourse signing autographs and meeting fans while racing enthusiasts can meet turf champion Takeover Target on May 29 as part of the Carlton Mid Doomben 10,000 Day.

Following the Brisbane Winter Carnival, Queensland is home to one final Group 1 race on June 26 the $500,000 Winter Stakes (1400m).

You can bet on all of the action of the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival with [sportsbet].

Below is a listing of the major meetings and Group races scheduled for the Brisbane Winter Carnival.

2010 Brisbane Winter Carnival Racedays & Events Calendar:

Saturday May 15, 2010:

Racefest at Doomben

Key Races:

Prizemoney	Status	Name	Distance	Type
$400,000	Group 1	BTC Cup	1200m	Weight-for-age
$125,000	Group 3	Rough Habit Plate	2020m	3YO Set Weights
$100,000	Group 3	Chairman’s Handicap	2020m	Quality Hcp

Saturday May 22, 2010:

Kirks Doomben Cup Raceday at Doomben

Key Races:

Prizemoney	Status	Name	Distance	Type
$500,000	Group 1	Doomben Cup	2020m	Weight-for-age
$150,000	Group 2	Champagne Classic	1200m	2YO Set Weights
$175,000	Group 3	The Doomben Roses	2020m	3YO Fillies Set Weights
$125,000	Group 3	BRC Sprint	1350m	Quality Hcp
$125,000	Group 3	Fred Best Classic	1350m	3YO Set Weights
$100,000	Group 3	Lord Mayor’s Cup	1615m	Weight-for-age
$150,000	Group 3	Moreton Stakes	1350m	Fillies & Mares SW+P

Saturday May 29, 2010:

Carlton Mid Doomben 10,000 at Doomben

Key Races:

Prizemoney	Status	Name	Distance	Type
$650,000	Group 1	Doomben 10,000	1350m	Weight-for-age
$125,000	Group 3	Premier’s Cup	2200m	Quality Hcp
$150,000	Group 3	Grand Prix Stakes	2200m	3YO Set Weights

Saturday June 5, 2010:

Treasury Casino QLD Oaks at Eagle Farm

Key Races:

Prizemoney	Status	Name	Distance	Type
$400,000	Group 1	Queensland Oaks	2400m	3YO Fillies Set Weights
$250,000	Group 2	Sire’s Produce Stakes	1400m	2YO Set Weights
$250,000	Group 2	Eagle Farm Cup	2200m	Weight-for-age
$150,000	Group 2	QTC Cup	1300m	Quality Hcp
$200,000	Group 2	Dane Ripper	1400m	Fillies & Mares SW+P

Saturday June 12, 2010:

AAMI Stradbroke Day

Key Races:

Prizemoney	Status	Name	Distance	Type
$1,000,000	Group 1	Stradbroke Handicap	1400m	Quality Hcp
$500,000	Group 1	Queensland Derby	2400m	3YO Set Weights
$500,000	Group 1	T.J. Smith	1600m	2YO Set Weights
$300,000	Group 2	Brisbane Cup	2400m	Quality Hcp
$250,000	Group 2	Queensland Guineas	1600m	3YO Set Weights