HarnessWeb Improvements
Online Transfer of Ownerships and Namings are now available in Queensland and can be accessed through HarnessWeb.
Should you have any queries or need assistance or advice please contact the Licensing staff at the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC).
For those wishing to apply for a HarnessWeb account application can be made online through the HarnessWeb link on the Harness Racing Australia website. Applications received will then be reviewed and activated by Racing Queensland Racing Office staff.
A link to HarnessWeb can be found here.
QBRED Invoices
Invoices for all eligible QBRED now 2YO’s have been forwarded by email to each registered owner of a QBRED eligible horse.
Participants who applied for QBRED pay-up of a 3YO or older horse that had not previously been paid up should have also received an invoice by now.
For those who have not received their invoice or do not have email access and would like an invoice posted please contact the Racing Queensland Finance Department or Harness Racing Operations staff.
Ultimate Driver Program
The program details for races that will comprise the Ultimate Driver Series on Friday February 21 and Saturday February 22 are now available on HarnessWeb and the Meeting Calendar on the Australian Harness Racing website.
All races are Penalty Exempt with Friday’s Heats all of $10,500 per race and Saturday’s Heats are all of $14,500 per race.
For queries please contact the Racing Queensland Harness Racing Office staff on (07) 3869 9775.
Changes to the Handicapping Procedure
At the end of 2024 a document notifying potential changes to the Queensland Handicapping Procedure was circulated for consultation.
Following the receipt of constructive feedback these changes were implemented as proposed without change.
A link to the updated procedures can be found here.
Trotting Program Changes
Due to feedback from the trotting community and the Queensland Square Trotters Assosciation (QSTA), Racing Queensland Harness Racing Operations has made changes to the recently released trotting programs from February and will be likely to make changes at short notice as we work with the QSTA and trotting participants.
Note some of these changes have been made since the last PACE Magazine was printed therefore, please refer to the Harness Racing Australia website and the Meeting Calendar or HarnessWeb for the latest trotting programs.
Some of the recent changes include:
- Tuesday lower grade trotting handicap returned to an Up to NR55 Handicap with the same conditions as applied in 2024.
- Tuesday trotting handicap originally scheduled as an Up to NR70 fixed handicap is now scheduled as an Up to NR80 Discretionary Handicap.
- The also eligible clause that was included for 4YO & older trotters has been removed.
- An also eligible clause has since been added to the Tuesday Up to NR80 trot to allow trotters balloted from the Saturday night trot to provide an option to race. This change has been implemented with immediate effect.
While the initial changes to trotting programming were made with all good intentions of providing increased racing opportunities to all classes of the trotting population it became apparent that these changes were not well supported.
Racing Queensland remains committed to providing opportunities to all trotters however given a limited horse population and occasionally some stand out horses providing such opportunities can be challenging.
An area of focus remains providing opportunities for young and up and coming trotters that may have obtained an inflated Rating through performances within their own age group, often in small field sizes and less competitive races.
By the inclusion of a 4YO Concession this season to provide some relief and the intention of allowing these horses to work through their grades by starting from the front row in the Up to 80 Discretionary Handicaps these horses may be provided increased racing and earning opportunities. Noting that a 10 metre penalty is likely to apply for each win whilst under a Discretionary Handicap there can also be the opportunity to come forward upon review of recent racing performances.
Further changes will be discussed, considered and possibly implemented in the near future.
