The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) has released its 2022-23 Annual Report, recording numerous successes, including Queensland-first initiatives to support animal welfare and the highest level of integrity in Queensland racing.
In the 2022-23 financial year, QRIC supported an increased number of race meetings across the state, providing staff and operational support for approximately 30 race meetings per week, and customer service support to almost 50,000 participant enquiries.
QRIC also boosted its compliance and animal welfare efforts during the financial year, introducing an intelligence-led approach to prohibited substance testing that led to the testing of 20,882 racing animals and participants throughout the financial year.
Proactive, reactive, and out of competition anywhere, anytime testing is leading to a higher detection of prohibited substances, compared to a similar number of swabs the previous year.
In addition, a three-pronged inspection strategy implemented by QRIC greyhound stewards resulted in a 36% increase in inspections at registered properties.
Further measures were taken to uphold the highest animal welfare standards, with Queensland-first pre-race veterinary examinations for all Group 1, Group 2 and Battle of the Bush starters running in the 2023 Thoroughbred Winter Carnival.
This resulted in fewer pre-race scratching and decreased welfare incidents on-track.
QRIC also worked to maximise adoptions for retired racing greyhounds by optimising the Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP), resulting in 299 adoptions throughout the year, 32 more than in 2021-22.
QRIC took additional steps to crack down on misconduct in the racing industry, including a new partnership with the Queensland Police Service Rural and Stock Crime Squad.
QRIC Commissioner Shane Gillard said that milestone steps were also taken over the past financial year to provide transparency regarding decision-making related to penalties, and a faster path to appeal.
“Our establishment of penalty guides for the three codes of racing ensures that licensed and non-licensed participants have a clear understanding of the penalties they may incur for breaching the Rules of Racing,” said Mr Gillard.
“In addition, we worked with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries to make the penalty appeals process smoother and quicker for participants by establishing the Racing Appeals Panel, which launched in March 2023.”
To continue supporting the sustainability of racing in Queensland, QRIC implemented a stewards remuneration framework, modernising the employment conditions for the stewarding cohort, including by implementing a salary increase, improved rostering practices and the provision of tool-of-trade vehicles for enhanced safety and service delivery.
Mr Gillard said that QRIC also increased its regional footprint by decentralising its operations.
“By establishing new integrity roles in Cairns, Townsville, Toowoomba and Rockhampton, we are proud to have introduced new country racing social and economic benefits to regional communities,” he said.
“In further support of regional economies, several integrity roles have also been transitioned from thoroughbred racing clubs across Queensland to QRIC in locations such as Longreach, Cairns, Rockhampton, Toowoomba, Warwick and Roma, and we look forward to continuing this rollout this financial year.”
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