Breeding & Racing Magazine

Qld Racing Rejects Qld Country Dates Proposal

Queensland Racing met yesterday with the Queensland Country Racing Committee "to discuss race date & funding proposals for 2008-09". QR chairman Bob Bentley announced: "The QCRC was formally advised that its latest proposal had been rejected by the Board of QR. QCRC delegates were keen to achieve an increased level of prizemoney for Country Racing, but were faced with the realisation that based on previous years performances, the number of race dates in their proposal could not be sustained. The proposal put forward by the QCRC did not provide for a properly integrated racing program, which addressed deficiencies that had been highlighted during recent racing seasons. These issues are clearly evident when considering that 52 non-TAB race meetings during the 2006-07 financial year failed to attract 30 or more starters." Bentley noted: "QR has begun working on a sustainable funding model for Country Racing & will engage the Queensland Government, the QCRC & key stakeholders in discussions to ensure that country racing is both relevant & sustainable into the future."