Local Rule amendment – Barrier certificates and post-meeting trials

Following a change to Local Rule LR33(2), effective August 1, 2025, Racing Queensland will now be programming additional trials after selected race meetings in regional areas. 

The first of these trials will be conducted over the coming months as follows:

• Cairns Jockey Club – Thursday, May 29;
• Mackay Turf Club – Thursday, June 5; and
• Townsville Turf Club – Thursday, June 12.

Under the change, an unraced horse will be required to complete an official trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards before being permitted to start in a race at any TAB race meeting. 

Until the end of July, this is only mandatory for horses making their debut in a metropolitan race.  

The additional trials, which will be ongoing in the future, will assist participants by ensuring there are sufficient trial opportunities for unraced horses to secure barrier certificates.

These trials will be restricted to horses requiring a clearance to race. Should additional horses be required to complete a trial, RQ will seek further nominations.

Nominations are to be taken in accordance with New Local Rule 72 and the new Protocol for Official Trials, which came into effect May 1, 2025. 

For the first of the new trials in CQ/NQ specifically, nominations, rider declarations and scratching deadlines follow:

Cairns – Thursday, May 29

• Nominations: Tuesday, May 27 – 9am
• Riders: Tuesday, May 27 – 4pm
• Scratchings: Thursday, May 29 – 8am

Mackay – Thursday, June 5

• Nominations: Tuesday, June 3 – 9am
• Riders: Tuesday, June 3 – 4pm
• Scratchings: Thursday, June 5 – 8am

Townsville – Thursday, June 12

• Nominations: Tuesday, June 10 – 9am
• Riders: Tuesday, June 10 – 4pm
• Scratchings: Thursday, June 12 – 8am

Trainers with any queries are encouraged to contact the RQ Racing Operations team on (07) 3869 9777.