Saturday's Australian Pacing Gold (APG) Brisbane Graduates Final for the first time has been granted harness racing Group 1 status featuring stakes of $100,000.
The APG initiative, supported by Racing Queensland, was introduced to incentivise purchases at the Brisbane Sale.
The decision has been a winner providing buyers with an achievable target in their own state in addition to the main APG finals for $350,000 and breeders with increased sales prices.
In 2014, prior to the introduction of the race, the sales average was $11,147, in 2017 this grew by 68% to just under $19,000.
To-date the Fillies have had the wood on the colts with Georgia Grace victorious in 2015, and Jossie James in 2016.
The early market from UBET suggests this trend could well continue, with the James Rattray-trained Arts Treasure the $1.90 favourite.
Form analysist Darren Clayton concurs with the market placing Arts Treasure on top following her recent win in the QBRED Fillies final with the Mark Dux trained Pinup Boy his second elect.
The field for this year’s final including purchase price is outlined below;
Horse | Sire | Dam | Purchase Price ($) |
Pinup Boy | Sportswriter | Victree Bette | $30,000 |
Gone Bust | Grinfromeartoear | The Third Category | $13,000 |
Ark Patrol | Grinfromeartoear | Ark De Jeanne | $28,000 (Reserve – Passed in) |
Arts Treasure | Roll With Joe | Art Start | $21,000 |
Sister Feelgood | Mr Feelgood | Likeness | $13,000 |
Mickee Cullen | Christian Cullen | English Elegance | $60,000 |
Zindel | Mr Feelgood | Girl Of The Moment | $15,000 |
Miss Costalot | Lanercost | Manhattan Montana | $24,500 |
Kathleen Grace | Mr Feelgood | Magic In Motion | $15,000 |
Digby Diva | Shadow Play | Evelyn Dee | $8,000 (Reserve – Passed In) |
Naughtynheaven | Rock N Roll Heaven | My King Of Girl | $22,000 |
The APG Brisbane Graduate Final is race 6 (8.10pm) of a strong 10-race card which commences at 5.43pm.
Racing Queensland