Racing Queensland has introduced a new Group One race set to become the richest event for three and four-year-old pacers in the southern hemisphere.
The $250,000 Rising Sun will be held at Albion Park on July 18 with several incentives designed to attract the best three-year-olds in Australasia, including two wildcard places.
"It's a Group One blockbuster designed to entice Australasia's best age-restricted horses to our shores and to create an event that becomes iconic to Queensland," Racing Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said.
As an added incentive, any three-year-old that contests the Rising Sun will benefit from a preferential draw, and if they win, will get a $100,000 bonus.
With the addition of the Rising Sun, the Queensland carnival now boasts nine Group One races.
RQ hopes to attract horses such as boom New Zealander Self Assured, winner of last year's Queensland Derby, along with Lochinvar Art, Balraj, Hurricane Harley and Max Delight from the southern states.