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ABC News
11-07-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Racing at new $85 million Queensland greyhound facility suspended again due to 'unsuitable' track
A high-profile Queensland greyhound racing event has been cancelled, after a track at the new $85 million greyhound racing facility The Q was deemed "unsuitable for trialling or racing" for the second time in a week. The Brisbane Cup was postponed for a week last Saturday after a "watering issue" at The Q in Ipswich caused the track to become unsafe for racing. Racing Queensland paused racing at the facility on Monday to allow an independent assessment of the track and remediation works to be completed. It comes as The Q grapples with a string of dog deaths since trials began at the track in March. In a statement on Thursday, Racing Queensland announced that following assessments, the rescheduled event had been cancelled and racing on the Q2 track suspended indefinitely. "With Queensland Racing Integrity Commission stewards inspecting the Q2 Parklands track last night and deeming it unsuitable for trialling or racing, all upcoming meetings and trials have been cancelled until further notice so further remediation works can take place," the statement read. RQ said rescheduling meetings at Albion Park was considered but "operational capacity" made it unfeasible. "As a matter of priority, RQ and the QGRC are focused on delivering a consistent and suitable racing surface before meetings are rescheduled on the Q2 Parkland," RQ said. Racing will continue on the facility's other two tracks. The former Queensland government put $44.15 million from the racing infrastructure fund towards the $85 million facility, which has been running trials since March and officially opened in June. Last month, the ABC revealed at least seven dogs had died due to injuries sustained at the racing track before its official opening. Acting Minister for Racing, Steven Minnikin said he was "disappointed for participants and supporters" that the Brisbane Cup had been cancelled. He said the facility was commissioned and built by the former Labor government, but that the new government would "make sure all steps are taken" to uphold animal welfare standards. "Independent investigations into the track and operations at The Q are now underway," he said. Labor's Member for Ipswich, Jennifer Howard, said in a statement the safety incidents at the track were "not acceptable". "The Minister for Racing, Tim Mander, along with Racing Queensland must act now," she said. "The… Q… was launched with the bold claim it would be the safest track in the country saying it 'uses the best practice standards for greyhound racing safety'. "This claim is nauseatingly repeated in advertising all over Ipswich and online." Ms Howard said any official material making those claims, which were first spruiked by the former Labor government when the track was announced, needed to be removed. She said she wanted to see "real steps" taken to "ensure the welfare of every animal involved in the industry". "The public deserves transparency. The dogs deserve better," she said.
ABC News
07-07-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Greyhound racing suspended at Queensland's new $85 million track due to unsafe conditions
Races at Queensland's new greyhound track The Q have been suspended after the track was deemed "unsuitable for racing". It comes as the new $85 million facility grapples with a string of dog deaths since trials began at the track in March. The Queensland Greyhound Racing Club (QGRC) said a watering issue was identified prior to trials being conducted ahead of scheduled races for Saturday's Brisbane Cup. In a statement, it said teams worked to resolve the issue to allow the Brisbane Cup to go ahead, but the event was later cancelled midway. Racing Queensland released a statement saying the Q2 track was unsafe for racing and events would be rescheduled. Racing Queensland said it would complete a refurbishment of the track and a new field would be drawn for the postponed event. "A final decision on whether the rescheduled meeting will proceed will be made after the refurbishments are completed including an independent assessment of the track." The postponed Brisbane Cup will take place on Saturday. The venue, which is a collaboration between state government-owned Racing Queensland and local clubs, has a one-turn, two-turn and straight racing tracks. The Queensland government put $44.15 million from the racing infrastructure fund towards the $85 million facility. The Brisbane and Ipswich greyhound clubs have both relocated to the venue. Last month, the ABC revealed at least seven dogs had died due to injuries sustained at the racing track before its official opening. Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds president Amy McMahon, the former Greens member for South Brisbane, said it was worrying that races went ahead on Saturday, despite concerns over the state of the track. "We know that trainers were raising the alarm about The Q prior to the weekend — we had written to the minister that there are issues at The Q that needed to be attended to," she told ABC Radio Brisbane. "They already knew on Friday that the track was unsafe … but they went ahead with at least two races on Saturday." Premier David Crisafulli said he had spoken with the Minister for Sport and Racing Tim Mander, adding that greyhound racing is vital to "who we are as Queenslanders". "The minister is asking the right questions," he said.
