THE 2013/14 race schedule for the three Queensland racing codes was approved by the Queensland Race Product Co on March 26, 2013 in line with the requirement to present the schedule prior to the end of March each year.

An extensive consultation period was undertaken by Racing Queensland Limited (RQL) to create the final versions of the race schedules.

An initial thoroughbred draft was distributed to TAB Clubs requesting feedback on the draft. After receiving a substantial response, RQL incorporated all suitable changes and released a revised draft for comment.

The final thoroughbred version was then presented to the Queensland Race Product Co for approval.

The key changes to the thoroughbred schedule include prizemoney updates, change of public holiday meetings, industry infrastructure strategy development and twilight racing.

It was RQL’s main aim throughout this process to optimise wagering outcomes, increase prizemoney, the quality of horse pools, the number of races programmed from seven to eight per meeting, weekend racing at northern TAB clubs and the integration between TAB clubs and non-TAB Clubs.

The 2013/14 harness race schedule was created through extensive industry consultation, which saw 331 harness meetings scheduled for the next season, compared to the 278 scheduled for 2012/13.

The main priorities when drafting the harness schedule included an increase in prizemoney, a return to racing on Monday’s, Sunday Sky Racing 2 coverage, the closure of Parklands and the roll out of the industry infrastructure strategy.

The 2013/14 greyhound race schedule sees very little alteration to the TAB racing calendar. Overall, there is a slight decrease from 416 to 411 TAB race meetings. 

However negotiations are continuing with Sky Channel in relation to the possibility of broadcasting meetings from Ipswich on a Saturday night which if successful, would see an additional 52 meetings allocated. 

From a non-TAB perspective the number of meetings has increased from 149 to 159.  If the TAB meetings at Ipswich commence, the number of non-TAB meetings will be affected and as a consequence the number of non-TAB meetings will reduce by 26 to 123 in total.

THE FULL SCHEDULE FOR THE THREE CODES FOR THE NEXT YEAR CAN BE VIEWED ON THE RQ WEBSITE

RACING QUEENSLAND MEDIA RELEASE