Queensland harness racing participants are set to be boosted next month with the state’s base driving fee set to rise to $60 per drive.
Since 2017, Racing Queensland has lifted the base driving fee from $45 for all races worth $3000 or more, an initiative that was included in a plan to support and sustain industry participation
A further increase will be delivered in 2021 as part of the third and final year of an agreement with the Breeders Owners Trainers and Reins-persons Association of Queensland.
The increased driving fee will now be applicable at Albion Park, Redcliffe and Marburg, with drivers previously receiving $25 per drive at the latter.
While COVID-19 recently forced the abandonment of the TAB Queensland Constellations, a number of feature races will still proceed this year including the Group 1 Garrards Yearling Sale Graduate 2YO Final and Redcliffe Gold Cup this Saturday.
RQ recently announced in conjunction with the Albion Park Harness Racing Club that the Changeover South East Oaks and Garrards South East Derby would be elevated to Group 2 status this year, with prize money rising to $50,000 apiece.
While the state’s biggest race, the Group 1 TAB Blacks A Fake, will headline the new-look Summer Carnival this year alongside the Group 2 Queensland Cup and the Group 3 The Be Good Johnny Sprint.
“There is no doubt it has been a challenging period for the Queensland racing industry and we’re grateful for the manner in which our participants have taken this in their stride,” RQ COO Adam Wallish said.
“But there’s a lot to look forward to. We have a number of feature races on the horizon and we expect to announce more in the near future.
“Our wagering performance has been solid, with turnover set to eclipse $500 million for the first time and innovations including the inaugural Trot Rods series have been warmly received.”
Meanwhile, RQ has today published its race dates for the next 12 months with 295 meetings scheduled including four dual code meetings.
Following its recent success and positive industry feedback, Kilcoy will stage two standalone grass meetings during the summer holiday period, while Redcliffe will stage an additional Saturday night meeting in January to capitalise on the tourist numbers visiting the Peninsula during school holidays.
Click here to see the latest RQ harness racing calendar.