April certainly represented a big month of change for the Queensland Racing industry. The debate on the Racing Integrity Bill (2016) is now complete with the Bill passing in Parliament on the 21st April. There is obviously a lot of work that now needs to be done to understand the amendments that were made and ensuring the division of Racing Queensland Departments is a smooth as possible with minimal disruption to racing operations.
From our team's perspective, it is business as usual and we look forward to working with Clubs and keeping you updated as we learn more about the new-look Racing Queensland.
A welcome and congratulatory note to Racing Queensland's new harness racing Board representative, Margaret Reynolds. I'm sure all will agree that Margaret's experience and passion for the industry is second to none and I'm sure she will be a wonderful ambassador for the sport. A note also to congratulate Anthony Collins on his new role as Secretary of BOTRA to fill the gap that Margaret will be leaving. Anthony is sure to bring a new energy and drive to the group and will be a great asset to the BOTRA team.
Enjoy this exciting month of racing as we start gearing up to the Winter Carnival and we look forward to continue working together towards a bright future for our sport.
Finally, congratulations to Kelli Dawson, Ken Rattray and the connections of Destreos on their historic achievement and breaking Cane Smoke's 25-year record for number of starts. David Aldred
Club Liaison & Development Manager
Queensland enacts strongest racing integrity regime in Australia
The Racing Integrity Bill 2015 was passed in Parliament on the evening of the 21st April and will mark the birth of the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) and the separation of Racing Queensland’s existing Integrity and commercial functions. The Minister for Racing, The Hon Grace Grace, released a statement on Friday 22nd announcing that the Queensland Parliament had passed laws to prevent another animal cruelty scandal in racing, creating the strongest racing integrity regime in Australia.
QRIC was established to implement the recommendations of the MacSporran Commission of Inquiry into greyhound live baiting. QRIC will be headed by one of the State's most senior police officers Ross Barnett with the Minister commiting to covering the costs to run the QRIC division until 2020. The Minister's statement reinforced the Queensland Government's commitment to restore public confidence in the racing industry and the improvement of animal welfare and integrity. The MacSporran Report highlighted animal welfare risks that were found to not be adequately assessed or managed, under-resourced and a lack of accountability. The development of QRIC will enable Racing Queensland to focus on its core commercial activities – race scheduling, prizemoney and marketing.
There were a substantial number of amendments made to the bill as it went through the Parliamentary process and we are still assessing the nature of these amendments however, it is already clear that the bill’s passing will reform the structure of the Queensland All Codes Racing Industry Board and dissolve the three individual racing code boards and the Racing Disciplinary Board. This is an exciting time for racing in Queensland and we will be embracing the new structure and the opportunities it presents in Queensland.
Introducing Racing Queensland's Harness Racing Board Representative
Margaret Reynold’s passion and drive for the sport of harness racing extends over 40 years of voluntary service to Queensland from the Far North to South-East. Margaret has owned, bred and raced horses for many years and served as a Director on the Queensland Harness Racing Board, Queensland Harness Racing Ltd and Queensland’s BOTRA committees. Outside of harness racing, Margaret has had an impressive professional career working in senior retail, marketing, sales and promotional roles including international positions for Myer and David Jones. We have no doubt Margaret will be a wonderful ambassador for the sport and look forward to her leadership and passion bringing a bright future for harness racing.
QBRED scheme announced for 2016-17
Racing Queensland announced on 30th March, 2016 a revised QBred Scheme that includes $1.4 million in bonuses and feature race prizemoney for the 2016/17 racing season. The revised scheme comes as a major win for the industry following ongoing negotiations between Racing Queensland and the Breeders, Owners, Trainers and Reinspersons Association (BOTRA) to refine proposed changes to the QBred scheme outlined in the Tracking Towards Sustainability (TTS) Plan. Under the new agreement, the existing QBred scheme will be retained until August 31, before a revised structure is implemented from September 1, 2016.
The key components of the revised QBred scheme include:
A $7,500 race winning bonus to be paid to the registered owner of any pacer or trotter that is successful in a specified QBred race conducted in Queensland for 2YOs.
A $7,500 race winning bonus will be paid to the registered owner of any pacer or trotter that is successful in a specified QBred race conducted in Queensland for 3YOs.
Race winning bonuses apply for the first win of the season in a QBred specified race.
The 2YO and 3YO pacers and trotters have the opportunity to win a QBred bonus on any Career or Metropolitan penalty event they contest. These bonus payments will not be applicable on any Graduation Penalty races, Penalty Exempt Races or the Consolations and Finals of the QBred Triad Race series.
Albion Park will host the QBRED Triads this month on Saturday 28th Maywhere over $370,000 in prizemoney will be on offer
QBRED registered and eligible horses can race for the following
bonuses and stakes in 2016-17
2YO & 3YO Bonuses
$7,500 QBRED bonus for any 2YO pacer or trotter
$7,500 QBRED bonus for any 3YO pacer or trotter
QBRED Triad Race Series (5% of winning stakes paid to breeder)
$100,000 QBRED Triad 2YO (Each Sex) Finals
$50,000 QBRED Triad 3YO (Each Sex) Finals
$20,000 QBRED Triad 2YO (Each Sex) Consolations
$30,000 QBRED Triad 4YO (Mixed Sex) Final
Following Redcliffe's 2016 Yearling Sale on Sunday 3rd April, the Club is now getting ready to host the Race Series from 25th May heats and Final on 3rd June. With Garrards on board once again as the Series sponsor, a prize purse of $80,000 is on offer for the Group 2 Final. Nominations for the Race Series are exclusive to horses sold at the 2015 Garrards Redcliffe Yearling Sale and those who have made their sustaining payment. The Final night will also feature the $20,000 Redcliffe Derby scheduled for the same exciting night sponsored by the Northgate Comfort Inn & Suites. Click here to see the 2016 Yearling Sale results
NEWS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
FOR SALE – first rights open to Clubs to bid on screens and marquees
Head of Operations, Declan Martschinke wrote to all Clubs on 18th April advising them of the sale of Racing Queensland's screens and marquees with Clubs being offered the first right to bid. During the consultation process when developing the Tracking Towards Sustainability plan, Racing Queensland received overwhelming support to sell these assets. The first round of the process allows clubs the first right to place their bid on the items for sale. Please click here to download the information brochure Please click here to download the letter of offer document (revised version emailed 27/4/16) Clubs will have the chance to view the screens set-up at Albion Park at 11am onWednesday 11th May. For more information contact Lucy McIntosh on 3869 9421 or email lmcintosh@racingqueensland.com.au
Prizemoney Boosted to $200,000 for Blacks A Fake
The Group 1 Blacks A Fake has received a prizemoney boost to $200,000 in a move which is set to further enhance the status of the Queensland harness racing's richest race. The enhanced prizemoney for the race has been achieved within Racing Queensland's existing budget parameters. Click here to read the complete media release distributed on 11th April, 2016
FREE Regional Workshops available for Clubs
The Building Active Communities Workshop program provides free workshops to increase the skills and knowledge of community sport and recreation volunteers such as committee members, officials and administrators. The workshops aim to:
Focus on key local issues to build capacity of local clubs through the skills and knowledge of volunteers
Inspire new ideas and help you take on challenges which you may face in your volunteer role
Increase involvement with sport and recreation clubs and organisations in Queensland
9 May Grant Writing, Toowoomba (6-9pm) 10 May Facility Management, Currimundi (6-9pm) 11 May Financial Management, Gatton (6-9pm) 19 May Sustainability – LED, Waste & Electricity, Noosa (5:30-8:30pm)
Trots at Toowoomba Show a huge hit
Darling Downs Harness Racing Club president Anthony Collins said the reintroduction of racing to the Toowoomba Royal Show has been welcomed by industry members and well received by show goers. The crowds at Toowoomba Show love the trots and it was once again a highlight on the program. This year’s racing was highlighted by the Ross Weidemann Memorial Handicap, raced in honour of the Downs harness racing stalwart. The emotional Memorial race was won by Stacey Weidemann driving Ghost Gum closely followed by her Aunty Lola behind Dontbefoolish. Click here to listen to Anthony Collin's great call of the Final race
Mini-Trotters stole the show at Kilcoy
With the unexpected and unfortunate cancellation of the thoroughbred race program on Sunday 24th April, the mini-trotters became the highlight of the day and put on a wonderful show for the crowd. The kids enjoyed their four races which was then followed by a "retired drivers" race. The crowd loved the minis and showed their appreciation with loud cheering and applause.
Profiling Jacob Wallace
22yo Jacob Wallace is a New Zealand horseman who has made the move to the Sunshine State 10-months ago and is thoroughly enjoying his lifestyle change. Wallace hails from a non-racing family but learned his craft under the legendary Tony Herlihy in the Auckland area and is looking for more success in Queensland. Jacob is working with Darrel Graham's Pacing Stables.
Excerpt and photo from the May edition of PACE magazine. For the full profile, see page 15 in PACE.
Winter is coming… 2016 Queensland Winter Racing Carnival 3 June – 30 July 2016
Albion Park Raceway and Redcliffe Harness Racing Club
It’s Queensland’s time to shine on the national harness racing stage, with 18 Black Type races on the program for the 2016 Winter Carnival. The carnival’s pinnacle in 2016 is the G1 Blacks A Fake, which now boasts an impressive $200,000 in stakes and is sure to attract interstate talent, those from across the Tasman and our local champions!
Download the 2016 QLD Harness Winter Carnival Schedule Download the 2016 QLD Winter Racing Carnival Brochure For online nominations please visitHARNESSWEB
OTHER RACING EVENTS IN MAY
Trots at Gympie Show – 12th & 13th May, 2016
Trots at Boonah Show – 27th May, 2016
The Flashing Red @ Albion Park – 14th May, 2016
BOTRA Queensland Young Drivers Championships Heats – @ Redcliffe – 18th May
BOTRA Queensland Young Drivers Championships Heats & FInal – 20th & 21st May
QBRED Triads – Saturday 28th May
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