A new race series is set to provide further opportunities for South East Queensland’s regional standardbreds during the 2026 edition of The Starlights.
The North Star, running from October to December, will provide pacers rated up to NR75 the opportunity to compete for feature level prize money as part of the upcoming second iteration of the new-look Queensland Summer Harness Carnival.
The inaugural series will feature 11 heats worth $10,000 each, between the distances of 2138-2280m to be run at all three SEQ race clubs, culminating in a $100,000 North Star Final to be run at Albion Park on December 5 as part of the Group 1 Blacks A Fake night.
Horses will contest heats within the region in which their trainer is located, with an additional two heats at Albion Park for all comers to help cater for horses unable to run at Marburg and Redcliffe.
The series will be restricted to horses under the care of a Queensland trainer, and have been with them for a minimum of 60 days.
The winner of the $50,000 The Peak of the Creek – run earlier in the Summer Carnival programme – will also be an automatic qualifier for the North Star final.
As part of the series’ development in the years to come, the 2027 iteration will be complemented by a feeder series to be run in the first half of the calendar year.
This series, to be known as The Little Bear, will be run under a similar format and conditions but for horses up to NR60, with heats run for a minimum $7,500 leading into a $50,000 final.
The final will be run during the Queensland Constellations, with the winner gaining automatic entry into the North Star in December 2027.
The series will also be expanded to include the Darling Downs Harness Racing Club once racing commences at Clifford Park.
The North Star’s introduction forms a part of The Next Lap’s initiative to develop a regional race series in consultation with the Albion Park, Redcliffe and Marburg clubs.
