Perth Racing has increased the number of races that horses can use to qualify for a return flight to Perth for the 2014 Festival of Racing.

Horses that place in the G1 Stradbroke Hcp, G1 Queensland Derby, G1 J J Atkins Stakes and G2 Brisbane Cup at Eagle Farm this Saturday will qualify for the return airfare from Melbourne in November.

“Historically, Perth Racing and the Brisbane Race Club have always supported each other’s carnivals and we aim for this relationship to flourish in the future.” Perth Racing CEO Stephen Wicks said.

“Over the years, some of our best horses have campaigned with great success in Brisbane while Rob Heathcote, Tony Gollan and Danny Bougoure have come to Perth with leading gallopers in recent years.

“Last year, Buffering defeated Moment Of Change in the G1 Winterbottom Stakes with Spirit Of Boom finishing an unlucky fourth.  Heathcote just missed taking out the prized big-race double when Fire Up Fifii was run down late by Luckygray and Platinum Rocker to finish third in the G1 Railway Stakes.

“Extra prize money is on offer this year with the Winterbottom Stakes now worth $750,000 and the G3 A J Scahill on Kingston Town Classic Day up to $200,000.”

The Galante family have already tasted success at this year’s Brisbane Carnival with Angel Of Mercy in the G3 Lord Mayors Cup at Doomben and leading Perth trainer Simon Miller has Platinum Rocker in the G2 Dane Ripper Stakes on Saturday.

“Elio and his family have always supported the Brisbane Carnival with horses like Scenic Shot and Scenic Blast, so to see their famous colours win at Doomben was great.” Wicks said.  “Simon is so enthusiastic about campaigning up in Brisbane and expects Platinum Rocker to race well in the Dane Ripper.”

Longma is another Perth owned galloper racing at Eagle Farm.  She is raced by Craig Thompson’s Mt Hallowell Stud and is engaged in the Listed Daybreak Lover Stakes.