By TERRY WILSON

CONFIRMATION that Racing Queensland has invested heavily in the future of grassroots greyhound racing in this state has been applauded by a number of leading stakeholders in the industry.
Veteran Gilberton dogs man Claude Dacey and Cynthia Suttle from Redlands say it is great news to hear that RQ is tipping $1 million into a program that should provide a windfall for those who are involved in owning, breeding and training.
The announcement included that money bonuses for Queensland-bred dogs will go up to $1000 per race, up from $500 – spread over a suitably qualified greyhound’s first start, its first win, its second win and its masters win, all in Queensland.
The new system kicks in on January 1 and both Dacey and Suttle agree that it is an exciting and potentially profitable innovation for them.
Dacey said he has 27 pups preparing for futures on the racetracks and, although he may not be training them, he still has a big say as one of the breeders and owners.
(For the record trainers will now get 20% of the $1000 Q-bred bonus with owners and breeders both to get 40 per cent).
“The thought of this (the incentives) is beautiful, I love it,” said Dacey.
“I’ve got 27 pups coming through (including Jeannie Dreaming’s third litter of six by Zambora Brockie), so it could be good for me, just perfect.
“It’s a lure for people to keep their dogs in Queensland. It’ll encourage you to breed.”
Suttle has been a leading figure in breeding and training for many years and is like Dacey in suggesting that the RQ initiatives should benefit the local industry significantly.
“It’ll encourage people to breed in Queensland, by Queensland-bred dogs,” she said.
“And it’ll be good for an owner if they buy a Q-bred pup.
“It’s a really good initiative.”
The RQ announcement covered gallops, harness and greyhound industries.
The media release said for greyhounds there will be a $1 million per annum  increase in prizemoney for Queensland bred greyhounds, who race in Queensland.
The first race start, first maiden win, second win and first masters win double to $1000 per race, shared between breeder (40%), owner (40%) and for the first time, trainers (20%).
The greyhound incentives are part of a $15.5 million investment in racing by the Queensland Government.
The plan, which will benefit almost 40,000 Queensland participants, will be delivered through increased prizemoney and payments to jockeys and drivers, along with infrastructure grants and higher club payments.
This comes on top of an addition of $4.1 million of prizemoney increases delivered in August.
Dog racing has certainly benefitted from a number of incentives introduced by Racing Queensland in recent times.
They include, in June, the Race Meeting Injury Scheme was introduced for greyhounds, providing an additional $220,000 to support serious racing injuries.
In August, additional greyhound race meetings were announced for Capalaba and Townsville. The prizemoney and appearance fees will see an additional $1.7 million in returns to participants.
This came after the October, 2019, decision that funding was announced for the $39million Greater Brisbane Greyhound Centre which will include three world-class tracks located south of Ipswich with a strong focus on animal care.