Dear Members,
The QTOA met with Racing Queensland and the Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association this week to discuss the current QTIS scheme.
While we all agree that the QTIS scheme is a great asset to promote breeding and ownership in Queensland, a key agenda item from an ownership perspective was to discuss the recent proposal we sent to Racing Queensland regarding the potential for a re-allocation of QTIS funding to assist in regional and country areas.
Our initial proposal included some important data on the costs associated with racing horses in various areas - particularly the discrepancy between the cost of training and prizemoney returns for owners in regional and country areas - and recommended ways in which QTIS prizemoney that is not being utilised in some regions could perhaps be better allocated in others.
As part of the outcome from the meeting Racing Queensland have agreed to look into some modelling around enhancing the QTIS prizemoney offerings for horses in regional and country areas, particularly beyond their 3YO racing season.
We thank Racing Queensland CEO Jason Scott and Ross Gove for their willingness to work with the QTOA on this topic and we look forward to seeing the modelling, which will hopefully lead to better outcomes for owners right across the board.
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Programming win for Queensland owners
In the short term, owners and trainers in Central and North Queensland have received a win in the shape of more 1300m plus races for three-year-olds.
The ATA recently highlighted the issue of a lack of options for horses over distances higher than 1300m.
As a result, Racing Queensland have agreed to program more options for these types of horses throughout November and December including the following races:
Mackay TC – Thu, Nov 14 – 3yo Hcp, 1560m. $21k + QTIS bonuses;
Rockhampton JC – Fri, Nov 29 – 3yo Hcp, 1500m, $21k + QTIS;
Townsville TC – Fri, Dec 13 – 3yo Hcp, 1609m, $21k + QTIS: &
Rockhampton JC – Tuesday, December 31 – 3yo Handicap, 1800m, $21k + QTIS.
Also at the request of the ATA, RQ have implemented a process where if the scheduled 3yo race is abandoned,the QTIS bonus is added to another race at the meeting that is of similar distance and class. These 3yo's should have already been nominated into this race as a back-up and now have an opportunity for QTIS bonus if they finish in the first 3 placings.
Understandably RQ would need to see these types of races well supported by trainers and owners to justify ongoing programming.
Well done to Cameron Partington from the Queensland branch of the ATA for his campaigning for these additional races.
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Summer is just around the corner
Spring is in full swing but the Queensland Summer Racing Carnival is only around the corner, with feature racing action beginning on November 16.
This year’s carnival takes on a slightly new look with a revised Magic Millions Carnival and the first ever night racing meeting on the Gold Coast on December 20.
Off the back of our successful Spring Soiree held at Doomben on Cox Plate Day last weekend, the QTOA will be hosting a Summer Soirée in the Ladbrokes Lounge at Eagle Farm on Grand Prix Stakes Day on December 14.
Don’t miss out on your chance to win a double double pass including a complimentary food and beverage package, courtesy of our friends at Ladbrokes.
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