BACK-FLIP OVER ‘CLOD LAND’ – OAKS MEETING MOVED FROM THE FARM
IN one of the biggest overnight back-flips in the history of Brisbane racing the Queensland Oaks meeting will not be run at ‘Clod Land’, which Eagle Farm has been christened in the eyes of the racing fraternity.
Industry insiders are claiming that Racing Queensland, facing a threatened boycott of the new track by top trainers and jockeys, overruled the insistence by Brisbane Racing Club chairman, Neville Bell 24 hours earlier that: “This track is safe for racing and we will race here for the rest of the carnival."
Living up to their modus operandi of procrastinating when it comes to important decision making on controversial issues, it seems officialdom cannot agree on where the Oaks meeting will be moved to when the obvious choice would appear to be across the road at Doomben.
Read more: BACK-FLIP OVER CLOD LAND - OAKS TO BE MOVED FROM EF
GREYHOUND racing will continue in Queensland with continued vigilance on animal welfare and integrity, Racing Minister Grace Grace said.
“Queensland was the first State to act in response to greyhound live baiting cases last year,” the Minister said.
“We acted immediately to stop the sickening abuse that was exposed, and put the greyhound industry on notice that it had to clean up its act.
“Clearly, the greyhound industry is aware that it’s on its last chance.
Read more: GREYHOUND RACING SAFE - BUT ON LAST CHANCE IN QLD
RACING Opposition spokesperson JANN STUCKEY made this address in reply to the Second Reading of the Racing Integrity Bill in the Queensland Parliament overnight.
On up to a dozen occasions her rejection of the bill was the subject of interjections with call from Racing Minister Grace Grace for Mrs Stuckey to withdraw comments made about her, specifically in relation to alleged conflicts of interest in Board appointments and statements made on integrity issues.
Here is Mrs Stuckey’s statement in the House (interjections included) courtesy of HANSARD:
Read more: 'CAT FIGHT' WITH MINISTER AS JANN STUCKEY OPPOSES RACING INTEGRITY BILL
HERE is the statement to The House by RACING MINISTER GRACE GRACE in support of the Racing Integrity Bill which will be debated over two days.
HANSARD report on the SECOND READING of the RACING INTEGRITY BILL:
Read more: MINISTER'S ADDRESS TO QLD PARLIAMENT ON NEW RACING INTEGRITY BILL
RACING Queensland has today released the race dates calendar for the thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing codes for the 2016/17 racing season.
The release of 2016/17 race dates follows months of extensive consultation with key stakeholders across the three racing codes including race clubs, UBET, Sky Channel and various stakeholder associations.
QUEENSLAND'S premier racecourse Eagle Farm is track to re-open for racing on May 11 following a major refurbishment, Racing Minister Grace Grace said today in State Parliament.
Ms Grace said the refurbishment would deliver a much-needed track upgrade, improved public amenities and a giant in-field display screen.
THE Queensland thoroughbred breeding industry has received a significant boost, with Racing Queensland electing to retain the key components of the existing Queensland Thoroughbred Incentive Scheme (QTIS) into the future.
Following the release of the Tracking Towards Sustainability (TTS) Plan, Racing Queensland consulted with key stakeholders including the Queensland Thoroughbred Breeders Association (QTBA), the Queensland Racehorse Owners’ Association (QROA), the Queensland Trainers’ Association (QTA) and the Australian Trainers’ Association (ATA) to further discuss proposed changes.
A FORMER Queensland harness trainer who pleaded guilty to backing his own horses to lose in 2014 has been disqualified for two years for allegedly assaulting a steward.
BRAD DAVIDSON reports for the GOLD COAST BULLETIN that former harness trainer Justin Abbott has been banned after he was found guilty of making physical contact to the head region of Racing Queensland steward Paul Zimmermann at a stable inspection at trainer Travis Mackay’s stables on January 23.
Read more: TROTS TRAINER OUT FOR TWO YEARS OVER STEWARD ASSAULT
THE proposed introduction of extended day/night race meetings at the Sunshine Coast and the return to Tuesday racing are the features of a draft 2016-17 TAB race dates calendar tabled by Racing Queensland for industry feedback.
The draft schedule, which has been sent to TAB thoroughbred race clubs throughout Queensland for submissions, is focused on maximising wagering returns in accordance with Racing Queensland’s Tracking Towards Sustainability Plan.
The draft schedule proposes the introduction of extended 12-race day/night race meetings to be held at the Sunshine Coast on Wednesdays or Fridays, while a designated Queensland thoroughbred meeting every Tuesday will ensure the delivery of racing product is lengthened from five to six days per week.
THE Queensland Racehorse Owners’ Association has made a submission with respect to the Racing Integrity Bill 2015.
QROA president Vincent Pennisi has provided letsgohorseracing with a copy of this which we reproduce below: