The Q’s official opening event will be held on June 7.
Australia.- The Q, a new racetrack in Queensland, has opened its doors today (April 4) with a 12-race program.
Situated south of Ipswich, the world-class precinct features three tracks – a straight track, a one-turn track and a two-turn track – with animal welfare at the core of its design and construction.
The maiden meeting took place on the one-turn track – known as Ladbrokes Q1 Lakeside – on the back of more than 1,000 trials and two picnic meetings in recent weeks to ensure dogs are accustomed to the new track.
Trialling on the Ladbrokes Q Straight and Q2 Parklands tracks will commence in the coming weeks, whilst the facility will be open to the public in May. The official opening event will be held on June 7.
Minister for Racing Tim Mander said: “Queensland greyhound racing participants can now proudly say they have a permanent home for their sport.
“The Crisafulli Government is committed to strengthening the long-term viability and integrity of all racing codes, while delivering modern and fit-for-purpose racing infrastructure.
“Constructed with animal welfare at its core, The Q will be the envy of greyhound racing jurisdictions across Australia and the world.”
RQ acting CEO Lachlan Murray said: “Friday’s inaugural meeting was another milestone for the state-of-the-art precinct, as we build towards the Queensland Winter Greyhound Racing Carnival next month.
“Not only will The Q deliver the nation’s premier racing facility, it will also be an invaluable multi-use asset that the whole community can enjoy.”
The Queensland Winter Greyhound Racing Carnival will feature seven main race meetings and nearly AU$3m in prize money. Earlier this year, Ladbrokes became the official betting partner of the precinct, with branding across all three tracks and naming rights to the venue’s key feature races.
