The Gold Coast Turf Club is set to make a concerted push to get the Hollindale Stakes upgraded to Group One level.
The Group Two Hollindale Stakes (1800m) is run at weight-for-age in early May and is one of the major lead-up races to the Queensland winter carnival staying events.
It has been won by champions such as Rough Habit (1991, 1992) Might And Power (1998) and Shogun Lodge (2000, 2001) in its 30-year history.
The race has also had some outstanding horses in recent times including Multiple Group One winner Streama (2014)and Doncaster Mile winner It’s Somewhat (2017).
GCTC chief executive Steve Lines says the Hollindale deserves a higher rating.
“The club is hopeful of getting a prize money boost for it in the next allocation of money. If we can get prize money up around the $450,000 mark we should a have a real case for Group One status,” Lines said.
“If we can get Group One status I think there will be the temptation for more horses to push on from the autumn into our carnival.”
Lines said it was interesting that leading southern trainer Wayne Hawkes suggested a Group One upgrade for the Hollindale at the Gold Coast club’s annual awards night last week.
“Wayne, his brother Michael and his father John have won the race a few times including two recent wins with Leebaz,” he said.
“When someone from such a leading stable gets behind the idea it is time for it to be noted down by those in charge. We have already made approaches to Racing Queensland to help us with the push for Group One status.”
Lines said the club was also keen to revamp the Gold Coast Cup which used to be run as the Prime Minister’s Cup.
“It was originally a staying race and in recent years has come back to 1400 metres. But we would like to get it back to its old glory and the first step is to make it a 2200 metre-race,” he said.
The Gold Coast is set to host more metropolitan meetings even when Eagle Farm is back in play.
It currently has seven metropolitan meetings and hosts one of Australia’s richest race days, the Magic Millions in January.
Credit: AAP