IN a bid to further improve the integrity in Queensland racing, the Queensland Government Racing Science Centre has made a commitment to Racing Queensland (RQ) to provide additional services throughout the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival and the Queensland Harness Racing Winter Carnival.

The Racing Science Centre will operate on selected Saturday’s for the next three months in order to return the results of the analysis within a 24 hour period from the first race of the day.

RQ Chairman of Stewards Wade Birch and his department recognised the need to improve strategies surrounding the collection and analysis of race day samples.

"The ability to submit samples to the Science Centre for analysis during raceday allows the sample to be analysed at the closest possible time to the animal being presented to race and eliminates the possibility of biological degradation in the sample," Mr Birch said.

"The greatest advantage will be the reporting of a discrepancy, which will be available to stewards on race night enabling the remaining portion of the sample to be immediately dispatched to the Referee Laboratory on Monday morning.

"This initiative will better equip stewards to enforce a level playing field for all industry stakeholders."

 RACING QUEENSLAND MEDIA RELEASE