The QGBOTA had a sit down with Racing Queensland yesterday (May 21st) focusing on Grading Procedures with;
Executive General Manager Racing – Mr. David Brick
Senior Racing Manager – Mr. Alex Kitching
Greyhound Operations Manager – Mr. Doug Lutherborrow
The foundation for the grading department is governed by the Racing Act 2002 and the Racing Regulation laws allowing for the Handicapping and Gracing policy 1may2025. The relevant laws are listed at the bottom of this post.
It is a reminder that Racing Queensland is a tri-code control body and must act in the best interests of the three codes and cannot give any preference to one code over another under the law.
“To provide a competitive wagering product (across all three codes) with the aim of generating increased wagering revenue, allowing for prizemoney increases and other returns to the participants.” (when asked to define the role of the grading department)
- Race fields are designed to be as competitive as possible to encourage wagering interest. RQ also balance other factors including opportunity for all participants, sustainability and welfare.
- The current trial phase as listed on the grading website has been extended from Jan 31 2026. The trial period has been extended indefinitely. (This includes elevating 4th grades into FFA as opposed to the grading procedure definition of FFA only 3rd grade and above. Elevation was accepted by participants from the last survey) This trial is part of a larger framework for future changes and is governed by the policy change procedures (RQ Handicapping and Grading Policy). This will include future industry consultation.
- RQ maintains a Grading and Handicapping Policy (This is a requirement of the Racing Act). As per the Policy, the RQ Grading System is managed in accordance with the Greyhound Grading Procedure Grading Procedures, including the trial variations mentioned earlier.
The following process is undertaken when updating the Grading Procedure (or Handicapping). RQ are currently in step 3 of the process.
1. Request for feedback/input from industry (as per the survey/in person discussions in November/December 2025).
2. Review of feedback (some of the feedback included suggested programming changes which were implemented in January 2026 (Programming Update).
3. Changes to Grading Procedure drafted and investigate any IT system changes required (i.e. to Oz Chase). This assists by informing timing of changes as they may not be able to be implemented until system changes are made.
4. Draft Changes are issued to industry for feedback, this process is managed by the Rules and Policy team (consultation is generally 28 days, which is in line with Qld Government Standards).
5. Any feedback is assessed and if required further revisions made.
6. Approval – Procedure is then approved in accordance with RQ’s Delegation of Authority Guideline – In this instance the CEO. - The current NSW point score system is not an immediate priority for the QLD industry until after other factors have been implemented with the required assessment time.
- Randomisation. To increase fairness, transparency, integrity, efficiency and reduce the risk of human error, the OzChase system has an automated process called “randomisation”. The order of entry process determines the runners. Randomisation then systematically splits the fields into each race for maiden, grade 6 and grade 5. Each race is then entered for the box draw and as broadcast on Facebook.
- Masters races will remain restricted to 5th grades only. Queensland run the highest percentage of Masters races of any state. Restricting to only 5th grades (and elevating winners) protecting and creating racing opportunities for older, slower greyhounds, in line with the MacSporran Report.
- Grade 6 (novice) cannot be nominated in 5th grade events under the current system. If a Grade 6 wins a 5th grade event that greyhound forfeits the grade 6 win and is recorded as one 5th grade win before elevation to a 4th grade.
Grace 6 (novice) will continue to be programmed on Tuesdays at the Q1. If these events are programmed for the Wednesday Q1 (with similar distances) that reduces the number of available races for other grades on the Wednesday. With both Tuesday Gr6 and Wednesday Maiden and Gr5+ experiencing full nominations, this is a best effort to give each greyhound an opportunity to race.
Grading is currently exploring options with the following topics as part of their ongoing grading development plans.
– Timed Grading formats
– Pathways and how this can be expanded without reducing current events for other grades
– The total number of 5th grade wins is being revised
The topics covered were very broad and the QGBOTA intends to have follow up meetings when more details are available.
Racing Act 2002
102 Policy for code of racing
(1) A control body may make a policy for a code of racing because
(a) the policy is required under this Act or a Ministerial direction; or
(b) the control body believes it is good management to have the policy.
(2) The control body must make a policy for a licensing scheme for its code of racing.
(3) A regulation may prescribe that a control body must make a policy for a particular matter and the provisions to be included in the policy for the matter.
Racing Regulation
Item 6 Matters for policy for code of racing Act, s 102
(f) handicapping, including handicapping licensed animals for the control body’s code of racing and the appropriate qualifications for handicappers;
Racing Act 2002
84 Obligation to have racing calendar for code of racing
(1) A control body for a code of racing must prepare a program (the racing calendar) that includes the following matters for the period in relation to which the racing calendar is published (the calendar period)
(a) the dates on which, and places at which, race meetings are to be held for the code of racing during the calendar period;
(b) information about the races to be held at each race meeting, including, for example, the length of the race, the types of animals eligible for the race and the prize;
