Members of the QGBOTA have continually raised concerns for the current lure system on the QST.
Failure to pursue charges
Outside placement of the boxes causing rail transfer congestions towards rail
Greyhounds losing sight of the current lure due to its small size
Lure bounce rates altering the running gait of the greyhound
Greyhounds not being able to follow the lure into the catching pen
Placement of the catching pen gates after lure is withdrawn
Lure not suitable for finish on or available for trial “drag” training
This is a short list of repetitive concerns with many more concerns raised to the QGBOTA.
The QGBOTA had a meeting with the QGRC CEO and RQ CEO and included these concerns several months ago. All parties agreed on several points and indicated that these issues would be addressed. After receiving no follow up or any indication of changes, The QGBOTA addressed these concerns again in writing. This is the responses we have received.
QRIC – 30June 2026. All lures are not a matter for QRIC and suggested we contact RQ.
RQ – 17 June 2026. RQ have discussed with the QGRC to trial different lures, tassels and squeakers. RQ suggest we follow up with QGRC.
QGRC – 22 June 2026. The QGRC is restricted on what type of lure modifications can be done due to the hideaway. A specially designed tassel “Sleeve” had been designed and tested in the early days of the QST last year but would not be able to pass through the hideaway slot without interference. the QGRC continue to explain that any other alterations require major restructure, concrete and steel to be moved and require the assistance of RQ. The QGRC suggested we “touch base again in 2 months to update on progress”
The QGBOTA committee us unsure where to progress from here as we have continued to bring this to the attention of all agencies with a circular condition of responses and no clear direction or responsibility for action.
We will “touch base again in 2 months” with the QGRC.
The QGBOTA is please to present the following industry snapshot, with data obtained from an Administrative Access Release from the Right to Information under the Freedom of Information laws.
Queensland has a total number of 593 licenced trainers as at *12 June 2026.
Trainer Licence Numbers are listed for the following EOFY financial years. The 2026 numbers are as at the report printed on June 12th 2026(*)
Trainer Licences held
Trainer Class 1
2026* – 148 2025 – 149 2024 – 159 2023 – 150
Trainer Class 2
2026* – 247 2025 – 246 2024 – 275 2023 – 271
Trainer Class 3
2026* – 198 2025 – 210 2024 – 238 2023 – 230
Total trainer licences per year
2026* – 593 2025 – 605 2024 – 672 2023 – 651
Comparative to a FOI request from 2017 showing the total trainer number was 661 for the 2016/2017 EOFY reporting date.
181 licensees have 0 greyhounds in their care. This can be attributed to; More than one licenced trainer on the same premises, Requirement to lawfully “train” greyhounds in absence of partner at track/trial, All greyhounds in one name due to the “guarding” grading procedure rule, Currently between litter’s/training or taking a break from the industry, Council limitation on numbers and awaiting retirement rehoming, No ability to downgrade to the Attendance licence, easier to renew trainer licence, Exiting from the industry awaiting 3 year expiry to lapse, Other
T1 = 25 T2 = 72 T3 = 84
229 licensees have between 1 and 5 greyhounds in their care.
T1 = 42 T2 = 106 T3 = 81
80 licensees have between 6 and 10 greyhounds in their care.
T1 = 29 T2 = 36 T3 = 15
57licensees have between 11 and 20 greyhounds in their care
T1 = 29 T2 = 20 T3 = 8
21 licensees have between 21 and 30 greyhounds in their care
T1 = 7 T2 = 7 T3 = 7
25 licensees have over 30 greyhounds in their care
T1 = 16 T2 = 6 T3 = 3
T1 – Permitted to train any Greyhound – No Greyhound number limit T2 – Permitted to trainer not more than prescribed by the commission (10) T3 – Permitted to train owned by licencee or immediate family, includes part ownership – No Greyhound number limit.
Litter’s Increased in the 2021-2022 financial year as a direct reaction to the announcements by Mr Brenton Scott and BGRC/IGRC presidents that the new Yamanto Track would be up and running by the end of 2023 Quote the Greyhound recorder 17/10/2019, “Racing will continue at both Albion Park and Ipswich until the new multi-purpose complex opens, expected to be in late 2023. For Capalaba, it will be business as usual.”
* 2026 figures from QRIC Q1 and Q2 quarterly reports. Q3 Jan to Mar 2026 not published. Included figures published in Chase Magazine. QRIC Q1 – 173 QRIC Q2 – 272 Chase Jan – 89 Chase Feb – 39 Chase Mar – 55 Apr & May not published
Future Breeding projections
The QGBOTA believes that breeding statistics are vital and have a direct relation to gauge the confidence of participants in the queensland industry. We believe this is a good indicator to a general commitment of a three to four year future plan for individual decisions to continue or withdraw from the industry.
The Next Lap – The Racing Review recommends that the Second win breeding incentive be cancelled. Mary Collier gave the QGBOTA an indication that this will be implemented during a meeting on Jan 18th 2026 as breeder bonus/incentives are not part of prizemoney allocations.
The QGBOTA has become aware of several rumors circulating about the infields of the Q1 and Q2.
We have it confirmed from Racing Queensland that there are no plans to convert the infields of the Q2 and the Q1 into any type of sports playing fields in any way.
The QGBOTA is also aware of the planned action on August 1st cease greyhound racing with demands to transform all Queensland tracks into beautiful green space and sports fields on public land and provide support for workers to transition to new, productive jobs.
All greyhound tracks are on land privately owned by Racing Queensland or on showground/council land and/or land shared with another racing code, with legally binding leases. The transfer to public land would require acquisitions of title, with additional budgetary funding for worker transition.
All these outrageous statements are not in the interests of the Racing Queensland’s Tri-code platform under the Racing Act 2002 law.
The QGBOTA would encourage all members to confront these rumours as false upon immediate hearing.
The QGBOTA can advise members that the 300m QST is currently in the process of some alterations.
Racing Queensland has been in discussions with the QGRC about the lure, trialling different lures and the inclusion of additional of items such as tassels and squeakers.
The QGBOTA has followed up with the club for an update on their progress.
A company called Steriline has been engaged on the project and have already completed initial design work for the box positioner and gate. Additionally, Racing Queensland is also in the process of sourcing a local contractor to carry out the works which is taking longer than expected.
Racing Queensland intends to resolve these issues as soon as possible, however when relying on 3rd party designers and contractors we must wait for them to accept a contact for the specific works, be available, to start, and complete this work.
We will advise more details as they become available to us.
The QGBOTA has been working behind the scenes to gather data and present proposals to Racing Queensland for the betterment of the industry. The following points list our efforts and the reactions of Racing Queensland
The Drake Report
The QGBOTA has asked Racing Queensland if they intend to follow the principles of the Drake Report and the NSW response to the Drake report for future infrastructure build’s.
At this publication RQ have not responded in any way.
Prize money increase for grass roots trainers
The QGBOTA submitted a detailed proposal for the redistribution of prize money from future extravagant carnival events to fund increases to the country, QST 300m and QOT 352m to bring the amounts inline with other short course event amounts. An approximation of $600 per race.
Denied
Starter Fee payments
The QGBOTA lobbied for the travel appearance money to be a flat fee of $80, increasing the $60 and reducing the longer distance amounts. We feel that those races with a prize pool of over $10,000 to $15,000 plus can afford a $20-$30 reduction.
This would benefit all lower grades and country races with an estimated annual increase of $555,000 when compared to the 2024/2025 financial year starts.
This would put more money towards a greater number of runners, rather than more money to a select few. We feel this approximation of $555,000 is a minor amount given the profits generated by the Greyhound Code each year, every year.
These payments are set to be halved under the Next Lap-Racing Review recommendations as endorsed by Lynette Keep on the review panel.
Denied
Change of name from Starter Fee to Welfare Payment.
The QGBOTA explained to Racing Queensland the importance of this payment and a financial necessity for greyhounds not yet raced, injured and unable to race and retired waiting for rehoming.
At this publication RQ have not responded in any way.
Invitation to other meetings
At several meetings with Racing Queensland it was expressed that an invitation would be extended to the QGBOTA to other industry related meetings, including the monthly club meeting. This would enable a better flow of communication to participants and industry.
The invitations have never been sent or received.
Grading
Racing Queensland’s senior executives and board members insisted that the QGBOTA meet with the Grading department.
We were hesitant due to past negative experiences, but initiated a meeting out of respect for their request.
During this meeting grading executive staff gave assurances that policy documents would be forwarded as requested. This basic document would explain the process required when making changes to procedures (including the Grading procedure) however on follow up, this request was denied citing “internal confidential policies”.
The meeting cited a document of an agreed type of understanding to be signed by both parties. This is a general agreement that applies to every other association. We assume that this includes confidential clauses. This document has never been forwarded to the QGBOTA for review at the time of this publication.
Grading “suggested” that emails to RQ board members and/or CEO are best for strategic matters only and not to highlight failed actions by RQ staff. However;
Threats of prosecution have been made for publishing email responses from RQ staff.
Sand Toe Survey
The QGBOTA has been discussing the issue of Sand Toe after RQ’s welfare department, who was contacted by a trainer concerned about track and sand surfaces. These discussions were initially positive, including the benefits of data collection. At the final step Racing Queensland would not host the survey. The QGBOTA would have to host, monitor, collect and collate the data without the backing and support of RQ. The QGBOTA has decided that this would not be possible with limited volunteer time and no guarantee that RQ would accept the findings from the data.
RQ initiated this project and then removed their support for the concept.
Future of the Queensland Greyhound Industry
Several members have contacted the QGBOTA asking for advice on the future of the Queensland Greyhound Industry.
RQ has not released any strategic plan specific to the greyhound code other than the generic tri code model that supports the three codes as a collective.
RQ has not released any details relating to the current and future infrastructure projects. All details listed on the “flagship projects” are, at this time, out of date.
At this time the QGBOTA is not in a position to make determinations for the industry due to the current vacuum of information.
The QGBOTA can only suggest that each owner/trainer make their decisions using current infrastructure available, without the influence of “unspecified future” projects, applying available details specific to their own individual needs.
The QGBOTA is a volunteer organisation and is not influenced in any way by paid employees of Racing Queensland, QRIC or the Clubs. Our allegiance is to its members and the trial tracks operated by the QGBOTA.
We understand that this information update may be disappointing to members, however this disappointment is shared by its committee members who have spent hours, days and weeks of their volunteer time dedicated to gaining a better outcome for the Queensland Greyhound Industry.
We will continue to act as requested by members and keep members informed of all state government policy changes as they occur.
