QGBOTA

The QGBOTA has become aware of the current confusion relating to the prosecution of an invalid scratching reason.

1. A greyhound cannot be removed from an event for an invalid reason.
2. Acceptable reasons are
   • Injury
   • Illness
   • Seasonal condition
   • Competition adverse to the greyhound’s health or welfare
3. If the greyhound has been removed for an invalid reason, the stewards should immediately reinstate the greyhound to that same race and box as originally drawn.

The Greyhound Australasian Rules process for scratching

GAR76 Scratching after box draw
Make application to withdraw the greyhound if an injury, illness, season condition or prevent the greyhound from competing that would be adverse to the animals health or welfare. GAR76(1)b

The owner or trainer or person authorised must apply to the controlling body or the stewards. (In Queensland this is via Ozchase.) Once satisfied the application may be accepted and the greyhound is removed from the event and may have a stand down period.

The QGBOTA highlights that a greyhound can never be scratched for an unacceptable reason without the permission of stewards. Furthermore if a scratching has occurred, stewards have the responsibility to invoke GAR19(x) to immediately reinstate the greyhound to start an event.

Scratched then not reinstated.

For example, a control body or stewards scratch a greyhound on the receipt of an OzChase transaction. A chargeable offence has not occurred with no fine applicable as the scratching was accepted and processed. A stand down period may still apply. The control body or stewards have deemed the reason acceptable to remove the greyhound from the event.

If, however, stewards reconsider the scratching reason as unacceptable after the greyhound has been withdrawn from the event, then contact must be made to the trainer within a reasonable time frame to allow preparation and transport of the greyhound to the event prior to kennel opening.
If GAR19 (x) has not been invoked a offence has not been made.

The QGBOTA does not accept that an owner, trainer or responsible person can be held to account and monetarily fined for the actions of a control body or stewards to withdrawal a greyhound and failure to reinstate the greyhound due to the reason being unacceptable.

The QGBOTA reminds members that the Racing Appeals Panel is available.

Greyhound Australasia rules Effective 1 Jan 2026

GAR19 Stewards powers in connection with meetings.
(x) reinstate a greyhound that has been scratched or directed that a greyhound starts in an event
GAR76 Scratchings after box draw
(1) The trainer, or in the trainers absence the owner of a greyhound, or other person authorised by the trainer or owner must:
(b) Make application to withdraw the greyhound pursuant to subrule (2) if any injury, Illness or seasonal condition that will prevent the greyhound from competing (or competing would be adverse to the greyhounds health or welfare) is apparent before the appointed scratching time.
(2) In order to withdraw a greyhound from an event, the owner or trainer or personal authorised must apply to the controlling body or the stewards. The controlling body or the stewards may, once satisfied the application is for an acceptable reason, authorise the scratching of the greyhound and apply an appropriate stand down period.
GAR86 Kennelling Time
(1) Unless otherwise directed by the stewards, the handler of a greyhound drawn in an event must present the correct greyhound to the stewards not later than 45 minutes before the advertised starting time of the first event of the relevant meeting.