SCRATCHINGS

Final scratchings close by 8.30am on the morning of each meeting. Emergencies will be withdrawn at this time if there have been no scratchings in the race. Trainers are reminded that it is their responsibility to ensure that should their horse be declared an emergency, they are required to ascertain whether their horse has been granted a start after the official scratching time.

Scratchings should be phoned in on the RQL Scratching Hotline
1800 331 308 or on 07 3869 9774. Scratchings can also be made on HarnessWeb prior to the scratching deadline.

When scratching a horse, trainers must clearly identify the following:

i) Trainers Name

ii) Trainers Licence Number

iii) Meeting Details

iv) Horses Name

v) Reason for Scratching

If a horse is declared to race in a claiming race and is subsequently withdrawn from that event for veterinary reasons, at the time of its withdrawal, the trainer must submit a veterinary certificate stating the condition or injury, and/or any treatment or administration of medications which prevented it from starting.

The following criteria will apply to any withdrawal at all meetings:

a) No fee and stood down for 28 days, however this may be reviewed upon receipt of satisfactory documentation;

b) $35.00 and stood down for a minimum 6 days, however the time frame may be reviewed following acceptable veterinary evidence outlining the extent of the injury or illness and clearance will be required before this stand down period is reviewed;

c) $35.00 if scratched after the official scratching time (Late scratching);

d) Penalties or embargoes may apply for unacceptable scratchings. Circumstances may be considered on an individual basis.

The above scratching fees will apply to any horse which is withdrawn up until the time it enters the track for the race in which it is declared to run. It will not apply if a horse is withdrawn because it has been stood down, ineligible or scratched for acceptable reasons.

A horse engaged as an emergency can be scratched penalty free prior to 8.30am on the morning of the meeting, except as provided in Clause 5.

Notwithstanding the above, a horse that is declared to run in a race prior to accepting for a feature event to the value of $15,000 or more may scratch without penalty from the first engagement if declared to run in the upcoming feature event.

If a horse gains a start in a race it is the responsibility of the trainer to withdraw such horse from subsequent nominations before acceptance time if he/she does not want such horse to gain another start.

If after acceptance time a horse is scratched due to a change of ownership or trainer, such horse, upon notification of such transfer may be scratched both fee and penalty free.

On a race day where the forecast maximum temperature for the race meeting venue is determined by the Bureau of Meteorology to exceed thirty eight degrees Celsius (38ºC), the trainer of a horse engaged at that meeting may scratch the horse free of penalty prior to 8.30am on the day of the meeting. Scratchings effected after 8.30am on race day will attract the normal scratching penalty. Such applications may only be made on the day of the race. (Please refer below for full Racing in Hot Weather Policy).