Racing Queensland Greyhound Grading Procedures
Industry Consultation
Monday August 26, 2024
BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
Racing Queensland proposes changes to the Grading Procedures in preparation for racing at The Q in 2025.
The primary purpose of the new grading procedures will be to accommodate racing at The Q with a new race meeting class structure and the introduction of a re-grade methodology to transition all greyhounds from the existing procedures to the proposed new grading procedures.
The proposed new race meeting class structure will cater for both City class and Provincial class racing on both the one turn and two turn tracks at The Q. New classes for Country racing and Straight racing will also be introduced to replace the previous class system.
An explanation of all key changes to the existing grading procedures is provided in the documentation below.
Following industry consultation, RQ will progress towards finalisation of the new Grading Procedures and will undertake the Ozchase system development necessary to implement the new Grading Procedures. The aim is for the new grading procedures to be implemented by the end of 2024.
Previously, in 2023, RQ proposed to automate the order of entry and the composition of fields. This component remains part of the overall system development but has been deferred until 2025 to prioritise implementation of the new race classes for The Q.
MAKING A SUBMISSION
RQ welcomes submission from stakeholders and will accept feedback until Friday, September 13, 2024.
Submissions should be made in writing to gradingreview@racingqueensland.com.au
DOCUMENTATION AND SUPPORTING INFORMATION
The following is provided to assist with feedback submissions:
Section
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Summary Of Changes
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Reason For Change
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Distance Categories
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No material change
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Track Class
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Introduction fo new class system:
City 1 - The Q One Turn
City 2 - The Q Two Turn, Albion Park, Ipswich
Provincial - The Q One Turn, The Q Two Turn, Albion Park, Ipwich
Country - Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Townsville
Straight - The Q Straight, Capalaba
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City 1 is metropolitan racing on a one turn track.
City 2 is metropolitan racing on a two turn track. Greyhounds will have separate grades at each City class.
Provincial class racing will be provided on both the one turn track and the two turn track. Greyhounds will be the same Provincial grade at both tracks. This will allow greyhounds to specialise at a particular track and not lose grade 5 opportunities.
Country class racing will be provided at Bundaberg, Rockhampton and Townsville. Greyhounds will be the same Country grade at all tracks.
Straight class racing will be provided at The Q Straight and Capalaba. Greyhounds will be the same Straight grade at both tracks.
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Interstate Tracks
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No material change
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Grades
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Grade 6 = Novice. For greyhounds with one win.
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Grading Penalties
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No material change
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Grading Concessions
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2x Grade 5 for City 1
2x Grade 5 for City 2
4x Grade 5 for Provincial
2x Grade 5 and 2x Grade 4 for Country
4x Grade 5 for Straight
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City 1 and City 2 combined will provide additional metropolitan Grade 5 opportunities than is currently provided by Class 1.
Provincial class will provide four Grade 5 opportunities which is the equivalent of Class 2 and Class 3 combined.
Country class will provide the equivalent Grade 5 and Grade 4 opportunities as Class 6.
Straight class will provide more Grade 5 opportunities than is currently provided by Class 5 racing.
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Dropping A Grade
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Now three non-consecutive unplaced runs to drop a grade.
Greyhounds over 42 months now drop a grade after two non-consecutive unplaced runs in top grade.
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Requirements to drop a grade have been relaxed so that greyhounds can remain competitive with faster movement between grades.
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Upgrading Rules
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Upgrading rules will not apply to Maiden, Grade 6, Pathways, and Masters events.
Removal of Class 5 specific upgrading.
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Upgrading rules have been amended to cater for the conversion of all performances to the new class structure.
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Re-Grade
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Class 1 grades will transfer to City 2 grades.
Class 2 and Class 3 performances will be translated to Provincial class.
Class 4 performances will be translated to Country class.
Class 5 performances will be translated to Straight class.
Class 6 grades will transfer to Country grades.
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To transition the grades of all greyhounds from the exisintg grading procedures to the proposed new grading procedures.
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Race Field Procedure
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Race events will be drawn according to a Hierarchy Of Events.
Updated definitions for race events.
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To provide a transparent methodology for prioritising race events.
To provide exact field size numbers for race schedule decision making.
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Eligibility
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New eligibility clauses.
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To clarify existing procedures for nomination eligibility.
To prevent greyhounds drawn in finals from nominating for another race meeting the day before the final.
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Guarding
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Same as existing procedures
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Reserve Rights
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No material change
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Order Of Entry
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Same as existing procedures.
Automated order of entry deferred to 2025.
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Composition Of Fields
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Automated composition of fields deferred to 2025.
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Heats and Finals Table
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No material change
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Time Standards
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No material change
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The Q will not have Time Standards at the commencement of racing. All masters and pathways events will be penalty bearing events until Time Standards are implemented.
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Nomination Policy
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All race events to be added to Ozchase, requiring the trainer to select all race events for which they wish to nominate.
Removal of comments section.
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To remove ambiguity in the nomination process.
To ensure greyhounds are only drawn in race events which they are nominated for by the trainer.
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