Brett Gives Queensland Bred Bonus Thumbs Up

INCLEMENT weather has diminished opportunity for owners and trainers in Queensland for the past three months yet a ray of sunshine has emerged for participants.

Racing Queensland has announced that more than $75,000 will be distributed back to Queensland-bred greyhounds in June thanks to a new breeding bonus.

A payment of $200 (made weekly) will be allocated for every Queensland-bred winner and is applicable to all races with a split of 40 per cent to the breeder, 40 per cent to the owner and 20 per cent to the trainer.

"The Queensland-bred bonus is designed to encourage our local chasers to compete throughout the month of June and in particular, the TAB Queensland Winter Greyhound Racing Carnival," Racing Queensland Executive General Manager Operations Adam Wallish said.

"We want to invest back into the greyhound breeding industry and ensure its sustainability here in Queensland for many years to come."

As a part of the upcoming TAB Queensland Winter Greyhound Racing Carnival, each of the 13 black-type features has received a prizemoney uplift, headlined by the Group 1 Brisbane Cup which will now be run for $525,000.

The Group 1 Queensland Cup also received a significant $75,000 increase to be now worth $225,000.

While this initiative is only for the month of June, further rewards for Queensland-bred greyhounds is planned yet the format is undecided.

‘This is great news for all participants," leading trainer Tony Brett said.

"We are fortunate here in Queensland to have an excellent Q-Bred bonus scheme.

"Q-Bred dogs have become more valuable (for breeders to sell) and people who retain and race their own stock receive $1000 payments when pups have their first start and again with the first win.

"Costs are soaring and the bonus schemes make a real difference in keeping breeders going.

"We feed beef here and the retail price is up 50 per cent to $7.50 per kilo in just 12 months and everyone is feeling the impact on running vehicles.

"RQ is not only promoting participation, they are incentivising and rewarding breeders which is fantastic."

The latest Queensland initiative is all the more poignant for NSW breeders which has no program in place to reward breeding excellence.

NSW has had solid prizemoney increases over the past 12 months yet breeding affordability – and sustainability – has not been attended to.