| I am pleased to announce the club will have a completely new
Web Site which will include a new logo for the Club. This will give
the Club an exciting new image and online service, taking advantage
of all the web has to offer. This Web Site shall be in operation
shortly for the upcoming winter racing carnival to assist with promotions
of the very important event.
Appointment of New Executive Manager Rockhampton Jockey
Club
The Club has received a considerable number of applications for
this important position from all over Australia.
The date for Closing of Nominations will be Friday, 10th July 2009.
The Management Committee will consider the applications by the end
of July 2009 and will announce an appointment in early August 2009.
Justin Doyle
Chairman
Rockhampton Jockey Club
QRL in discussions to ensure future of Rockhampton Sales
Following the recent announcement by Australian Livestock Marketing
Manager, Mr Ken McCaffrey, in relation to the termination of his
Capricornia Yearling Sale, Queensland Racing Limited has today commenced
discussions with the Rockhampton Jockey Club to ensure this unique
sale continues into the future.
QRL chairman, Mr Bob Bentley said: “Queensland Racing Limited
has been a major contributor to the Capricornia two-year-old Classic
for a number of years and understands the importance of a local
sale to the Capricornia region.
“Following Mr McCaffrey’s announcement, I have held
discussions with the chairman of the Rockhampton Jockey Club, Mr
Justin Doyle, and will be meeting with representatives of the Club
in Brisbane next week.
“The focus of these discussions will centre on the continuation
of a yearling sale in Rockhampton and its enhancement to ensure
the sustainability of the central Queensland breeding industry.
Mr McCaffrey’s retirement will in no way diminish the benefits
that are currently afforded to central Queensland stakeholders and
the resultant benefits to the Capricornia region.
“Through Queensland Racing Limited’s efforts, the saleability
of Queensland bred yearlings has been significantly improved and
it is expected that the appeal of QTIS eligible yearlings will continue
to increase once the lucrative QTIS 600 scheme comes into affect
in the new racing season. This will include the availability of
an additional $320,000 in QTIS 600 restricted races and bonuses
at Callaghan Park, Rockhampton.
Queensland Racing Limited will be working with the Rockhampton Jockey
Club to ensure a Rockhampton based sale is positioned to capitalise
on these initiatives.
For further information please contact the QRL racing department
on 07 3869 9777.
NOTICE TO TRAINERS
The Committee has approved there will be no fees charged for use
of training tracks and swimming pool until the 1st July 2009.
The main sand training track will be open for training on Monday
Morning 27th April 2009. Training schedule from Monday 27th April
2009 to early July 2009.
Note there may be some interruptions during reconstruction of main
sand training track. Back Track Morning 6am to 9am Afternoon 3 pm
to 5pm. Note yearlings from 11am to 2pm. Main Trotting Track Morning
3am to 6.45am A designated fence pathway from the on course tie
up stalls to the back track for horses using the back track and
there will be a person supervising vehicles crossing the pathway
during morning training session.
The Club is investigating lighting from both ends of track to allow
work to commence earlier for morning training. The club is also
looking at the stabled horses coming onto the track at eastern end.
You will be advised on the decision on the above matters at an early
date. A sand surface will be added to the back track within the
week from 27th April 2009. Swimming Pool The Pool will be open for
use from 6am to 8am. and 2pm to 4pm Saturdays and race mornings
6am to 7.30am. and will be reviewed subject to number of horses
using the facility. Grass Track Gallops The hours will be from 3am
to 6.45am. The following is the list of the grass track gallop dates.
These dates are subject to weather and construction works. Barrier
Certificate Jumpouts The following are dates for Barrier Certificate
jumpouts to be conducted from 6am to 6.45am subject to track and
Stewards availability.
Race Track Reconstruction
Queensland Racing have confirmed that Shadforths Civil Construction have been awarded the contract for the reconstruction of both the racing and training
tracks at Callaghan park with work expected to commence in early May 2009. This will make Callaghan Park one of the best provincial TAB tracks in Australia.
The Sand Training will be upgraded to a standard that will allow
race meetings to be held whilst the grass racing track is being
reconstructed.
The training upgrade will be completed first and we expect the work
on the grass race track to commence shortly after the Winter Carnival
in July 2009.
Given the original grass race track was established in 1984, the
six million dollar investment by Queensland.
Racing for Central Queensland is timely to upgrade the existing
racing and training facilities.
These upgrades will meet TAB race meetings standards which are shown
all over Australia and overseas.
The Committee and Members extend their appreciation to the Board
of Queensland for showing their confidence in Central Queensland
racing with this substancial investment.
Callaghan Park Training:
The $6.5 million reconstruction of both the racing and training tracks at Callaghan Park is due to commence in May and there is little doubt that during this time all stakeholders will experience some inconvenience during the construction period. The training track will undergo reconstruction first and is to close in May for a period of approximately two months. During this time racing will continue on the track proper as usual. After considerable consideration was given to the options available for trainers to maintain training regimes during this period the following has been put in place.
The idol trotting track in the centre of the race track will be used as a ‘Trot and Canter ONLY’ facility with only minor modifications required to make it operable. It is envisaged that this facility will be available for use about February 23rd and constructive feedback on all issues related to this facility should be made known to the RJC prior to the closure of the sand training track. This will ensure that this facility can operate at its optimum during the period the sand training track is closed.
The old training track(outside track) at the rear of the Callaghan Park complex will also be used as a ‘Trot and Canter ONLY’ facility but in this case several modifications are required. Included amongst these modifications are the construction of an inside running rail to the full circumference of the track, the construction of outside running rail to the entrance and exit of the track as well as other selected outer sections for safety reasons. It is estimated that this facility will be made available for training sometime in late March. Following the closure of the sand training track in May the sand from that track will be used to resurface this facility.
Grass track gallops will be scheduled twice weekly on the track proper during the closure of the sand training track. Markers will be erected on the track to delineate the outside 6 metres of the track to be used for these gallops. These gallops will be scheduled 2 to 3 days prior to a race meeting and 2 to 3 days before that. A calendar will be produced to advise the available days in advance allowing trainers to properly manage their training regime. They will be subject to weather and track conditions and strict protocols will be put in place to ensure fairness and safety.
Training times have also been reviewed and we will continue to monitor these during the construction period. The inside trotting track will be open from 3am until 7am with no horse allowed onto the facility after 6.45am. This track is to be vacated by 7am to allow the construction contractors to commence work on time. The outside track will be open from 6am to 9am with an afternoon session being considered. During the time of construction and with restricted training facilities all visiting trainers from other centres wishing to train at Callaghan Park will be required to seek approval from the RJC committee prior to access being granted.
With two trot and canter tracks, access to twice weekly grass track gallops, the lunging yard, the mechanical walker and the equine swimming pool, training need not be compromised in any way during the re-construction of the sand training track. At all times during the construction the RJC will keep stakeholders informed of any issues they may impact on them.
Justin Doyle
Chairman
Rockhampton Jockey Club
Bruce Slattery
Chief Executive Officer
Rockhampton Jockey Club
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