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.
