By Racing Queensland Chief Executive Officer BRENDAN PARNELL
The Golden Greys Summer Carnival continues to go from strength to strength, with electrifying racing on show throughout January.
Queenslanders came to the fore with the Jemma-Daley trained Hara’s Pandora taking home the Bogie Leigh, before Shaye took out the Golden Sands for Jedda Cutlack.
Jay Is Jay capped off the stellar night for Sunshine State chasers at Albion Park with a win in the Queensland Derby, meaning that all three features on the night were won by female trainers.
Jay Is Jay continued his purple patch by going on to claim the coveted Group 3 Golden Ticket, earning his spot in the Group 1 Gold Bullion as a result.
No less than seven of the eight Golden Ticket aspirants stopped the clock in under 30 seconds, with both Jay Is Jay and Throttle recording equal fastest times in a scintillating 29.52 seconds, before a ballot conducted by QRIC stewards after the race determined who would progress to the Group 1 feature.
In the Gold Bullion, there’s added incentive for trainers in 2023, with this year’s winner to take home record prizemoney.
The Golden Greys Summer Carnival’s marquee race will be run for $375,000 on February 2, with the winner receiving $250,000, up from $200,000 in 2022.
On the same night at Albion Park, the winner of the Golden Oldies will collect $30,000, an increase from $17,500.
Australia’s richest maiden greyhound race, the Group 3 Vince Curry Memorial at Ipswich, will also benefit from a prizemoney injection to $112,525, with the winner receiving $75,000.
It’s been an outstanding Summer Carnival so far, and the prizemoney increases are befitting of the growth of the code in Queensland.
It’s fantastic news for greyhound racing, on top of the announcement that the prizemoney in the Brisbane Cup will almost double from $525,000 to $1 million this year.
We would once again like to thank the Palaszczuk Government and their recent Betting Tax reform, which has enabled us to invest record amounts of prize money back into the greyhound industry.
Bundaberg modifications and return to racing
Track modifications works are nearing completion at the Bundaberg Greyhound Racing Club.
The works have included a complete replacement of the lure and rail system – with a new grass surface laid prior to Christmas – as well as new starting boxes and starting positions over 531m and 315m, and the installation of a new Judging tower.
Trialling on the new surface will commence in the immediate future, with a return to racing soon after.
The Club’s famous Bundaberg Cup meeting is set down to take place on March 27, signifying the formal opening of the new track.
GBGC update
With planning approval now in place, RQ has completed the tendering process for bulk earthworks with the bulldozers set to roll this month.
The works will involve demolition of all buildings currently on-site, shaping of the site and preparation of the building pads.
Facility design finalisation continues with the expectation of a tendering for the main works programme to be completed by the end of the current financial year.
Greyhound Adoption Program pop-ups
In keeping with its vision for creating a sustainable industry, RQ is a strong supporter of the Greyhound Adoption Program.
Right now, the GAP is looking for businesses to host a ‘GAP Pop-up’, where employees and customers can meet GAP dogs and learn more about adopting and fostering.
It’s a great opportunity to offer free pats to your community while promoting the GAP, which I know many participants already support.
Anyone interested in taking part can contact communication@qric.qld.gov.au.
Post-racing provision of water in raceday kennels
Last month, RQ approved a procedure guiding the provision of water for greyhounds in raceday kennels.
The new procedure will allow for the provision of water in raceday kennels to all greyhounds after competing in a Queensland race event at the discretion of the dog’s trainer.
Trainers and handlers will be required to comply with club instructions regarding the safe and responsible disposal of unused water and recycling of water bottles.
More information, along with a copy of the procedure, can be found on the RQ website.
Queensland Greyhound Awards
Finally, we’re pleased to confirm that this year’s Queensland Greyhound Awards will be staged on March 31 at the Greek Club in South Brisbane.
Further information regarding the evening and the purchase of tickets will soon be available on the Racing Queensland website.
