Queensland Racing Office Items 25/03/2025

2025 Showcase Series

The 2025 Showcase Series at Redcliffe which is exclusive to horses that were drawn to compete on the regional show circuit will be held on September 3 (Heats) and September 10 (Final & Consolation).

The Redcliffe Showcase series will be a National Rating Handicap with a lifetime win component as per the set handicaps below with all handicaps remaining the same from Heat to Final.

• NR30-39 or Maidens - Front
• NR40-44 or 1 LTW - 10 metres
• NR45-54 or 2-3 LTW - 20 metres
• NR55-65 - 30 metres
• NR66-89 - 40 metres
• NR90+ - 50 metres

All horses drawn into a regional show race will be considered for a heat of the Redcliffe Showcase Series.

Regional Shows conducting show trotting include:

• RASQ Toowoomba (March 29)
• Nanango (April 12)
• Kingaroy (May 3)
• Gympie (May 16)
• Gatton (July 18)

Trot Rods 2025

Trots Rods will return to Redcliffe in 2025, running from April 23 through until May 28. The series will follow a familiar format to previous years including:

• Two weekly Wednesday night heats leading up to a final night of Trot Rods races on May 28;
• All heats will be run for $7,000 and are NR Penalty Free;
• Maximum field size of five, with one emergency drawn;
• Barrier draw – PBD/Average mile rate last 10 starts:
• Races run over 947m (one lap of the Redcliffe circuit);
• A $1,000 bonus will be awarded to any horse which betters the official Leading Time through the series.
• The horse with the fastest official time at the conclusion of the series will win a $10,000 Owner Cash Bonus and a $10,000 Trainer Cash Bonus;
• The final night, inclusive of 10 heats, will feature five leading drivers who will drive in each race with drives to be selected via a draft following the fields being released.

The schedule/program for this year’s series is as follows:

• April 23 Heats 1 & 2  NR30-40*
• April 30 Heats 3 & 4  NR41-46*
• May 7 Heats 5 & 6  NR47-52
• May 14 Heats 7 & 8  NR50-55
• May 21 Heats 9 & 10  NR54-60
• May 28 (Heats 11 to 20)
  • NR30-38*
  • NR39-44*
  • NR45-50
  • NR51-55
  • NR56-62
  • NR63-70
  • Up to NR70 (No Band only)

*Age Concessions are NOT available.

On the final night multiple heats of one rating group may be conducted depending upon nominations received to achieve the 10 race all Trot Rods card.

For queries, please contact the Racing Queensland Harness Racing Office on (07) 3869 9774 or by email harnesshandicapping@racingqueensland.com.au

Marburg - Trotters Easter Cup added

A feature Trotters race has been added to the big Easter program at Marburg on April 20.

The QSTA Trotters Easter Cup of $6,260 will now be available as code UGB20042509 on the program.

This race will be an Up to NR70 Trotters Discretionary Handicap with a Trophy and Rug and a free service to Muscle M Up USA for the lucky winning connections.

The Easter Cup is proudly sponsored by the QSTA and Trump Bloodstock.

Maiden races

Maiden races have now been added to the Sunday / Monday program at Redcliffe with these and the Maiden races scheduled at Marburg set at the total race stake of $4,600.

QBRED eligible horses will have the opportunity to obtain a full QBRED First Win Bonus upon a win.

By allocating a race stake of $4,600 the aim is to provide increased opportunities to maidens with limited ability to achieve a win and if eligible a QBRED Bonus.

Trial Fee Increase

Effective July 1, 2025 the Barrier Trial fee will increase from $22 to $27.50 including GST.

This is the first increase to barrier trial fees in more than 10 years.

The fee for the Green Trials will remain at $11 including GST.

All trial fees collected by Racing Queensland are returned to the host race clubs in full.