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All-weather track procedure

29 August 2021

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Racing Queensland will seek to reduce the number of abandoned thoroughbred meetings in South East Queensland by implementing an all-weather track procedure from October.

Over the past three years, 26 SEQ meetings have been abandoned due to inclement weather or track conditions, costing the industry $5.8 million in prize money. 

Having recently installed the new Polytrack at the Sunshine Coast Turf Club, RQ will seek to introduce a procedure which will allow race meetings at turf tracks to be transferred to the SCTC all-weather track after considering the track rating and the prevailing and forecast weather conditions.

This includes meetings scheduled for the SCTC course proper, along with other turf tracks across SEQ.

Having already consulted, RQ CEO Brendan Parnell said the organisation would undertake broader industry consultation over the next month before seeking to introduce the procedure from October 1.

“The new Polytrack at the Sunshine Coast provides the Queensland racing industry with a much-needed all-weather solution,” Mr Parnell said.

“By introducing an all-weather track procedure, we can maximise returns to participants, while providing more racing opportunities for horses.

“Corbould Park is one of the state’s busiest racing precincts, but the procedure would not just be limited to the Sunshine Coast, it will provide optionality for any race meeting across SEQ to be transferred to the all-weather track should the conditions require.

“The planned installation of a Polytrack at the Gold Coast will ensure greater flexibility into the future.”

As the all-weather track may not cater for the same race distances and field limits as the venue from which the meeting has been transferred, RQ may be required to alter the distances and field sizes for some or all of the transferred races.

In instances where the field sizes are adjusted, RQ’s balloting conditions will be applied to reduce the field size/s to the safety limit.

Sunshine Coast Turf Club CEO John Miller said his club supported the introduction of the procedure.

“The new Polytrack provides significant benefits for both racing and training at the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Miller said. 

“The new procedure has been well prepared and one of the key features allows for greater flexibility to transfer races after the commencement of a meeting due to unsuitable weather.

“This ensures we give all participants the opportunity to conduct the races scheduled.”

To provide feedback on the proposed procedure, please contact RQ Senior Racing Manager – Thoroughbred Ross Gove via rgove@racingqueensland.com.au.