Racing Queensland has announced it will now allow conditional horse movement for inter-state standardbreds for the purposes of racing.
Standardbred horses which meet one or more of the following eligibility criteria are permitted to enter Queensland for racing purposes and contest the following features. They are:
- Horses eligible for 2020 QBRED 2YO TRIAD series (Pacing and Trotting)
- Horses eligible for 2020 QBRED 3YO TRIAD series (Pacing and Trotting)
- Horses eligible for 2020 QBRED 4YO TRIAD series
- Horses eligible for the 2020 Redcliffe Yearling Sale 2YO series
- Horses eligible for the 2020 Redcliffe Yearling Sale 3YO series
- Horses eligible for the 2020 APG Brisbane Sale 2YO Series
- Horses eligible for the 2YO Trotters Springboard Series
- Horses eligible for the 3YO Trotters Springboard Series
Horses currently racing inter-state and in a licenced Queensland trainers name as at April 1, 2020 will be also permitted to return to Queensland to race.
Any permitted inter-state standardbred must adhere to the following transport guidelines. They are:
Inter-state transport of horses by approved float companies
Where Government regulations allow, standardbred horses will be permitted to travel to Queensland, however, any licensed or registered personnel, or essential personnel (being those currently approved for access to race meetings and training centres) are not permitted to travel with such horses, other than employees of the ‘Approved Float Company’.
The following conditions also apply:
- An ‘Approved Float Company’ is any float company which is registered as a transport company, and which has sought and been granted approval by Racing Queensland to transport racing standardbred horses to Queensland from inter-state;
- For horses currently trained by inter-state trainers, the trainer must make arrangements (notified and approved by the QRIC Stewards) for a designated caretaker trainer within Queensland. This arrangement must be made and notified to QRIC prior to transport departure;
- Transport drivers (freight drivers) are to make prior arrangements with drop-off points and are not to access licensed premises when delivering horses (unless otherwise approved by QRIC Stewards). They must remain within their cabin and a designated Queensland staff member of the horse’s trainer/ or caretaker trainer must be on hand to take delivery of the horse being transported;
- Horses transported must have completed their journey prior to acceptance time of their nominated race;
- Upon arrival, the designated staff member/trainer collecting the horse must ensure that any gear attached or floated with the horse is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to minimize any risk of COVID-19 being spread within the stabling environment;
- Prior to and upon completion of the journey, the float company must ensure the vehicle is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to minimize any risk of COVID-19 being spread on future journeys; and
- Any transport driver undertaking inter-state travel must not enter licensed premises or act in another industry capacity (eg: strapper or stablehand) whereby they enter a racing or training complex in that capacity for a period of 14 days from the date they last entered Queensland from inter-state.
Inter-state transport other than by Approved Float Company
Where Government regulations allow, horses that meet the above eligible race criteria will be permitted to travel from inter-state to Queensland, however, if the transport is other than with an Approved Float Company, the person transporting that horse (and any persons who come into close contact with that person) will not be permitted access to any licensed racing or training facility in Queensland for a period of at least 14 days.
The following conditions also apply:
- Transport drivers are to make prior arrangements with drop-off points and are not to access licensed premises when delivering horses (unless otherwise approved by QRIC stewards). They must remain within their cabin and a designated Queensland staff member of the horse’s trainer/ or caretaker trainer must be on hand to take delivery of the horse being transported;
- Upon arrival the designated staff member must ensure that any gear attached or floated with the horse is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to minimize any risk of COVID-19 being spread within the stable environment;
- Prior to and upon completion of the journey, the float driver must ensure the vehicle is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to minimize any risk of COVID-19 being spread on future journeys; and
- Any transport driver undertaking inter-state travel must not enter licensed premises or act in another industry capacity (eg: strapper or stablehand) whereby they enter a racing or training complex in that capacity for a period of 14 days from the date they last entered Queensland from inter-state.