Breeding latest (possible qtis improvements)

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It is great to see TBQA and Racing QLD constantly looking at ways to improve the QTIS scheme. They deserve a pat on the back for their efforts. Let’s hope it ends up an even better scheme down the track. The QTIS ‘extra’ option seems like a ripping idea to me!

QUEENSLAND’S HOPEFULS
QTIS REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN
The initial payment for 2011 foals is now due.
The first payment of $385 (incl gst) for Queensland bred yearlings
and $770 (incl gst) for Breedbacks
is due by October 31st, 2012
The second payments, of the same amounts will due by June 30, 2013.
There is a late payment fee of $990 for Queensland bred and $1,650 for Breedbacks, which is payable by June 30th, 2013.
or contact Queensland Racing for more details on the scheme (07) 3869 9777.
QUEENSLAND 2YO TRIFECTA
You couldn’t ask for a better start to the 2yo season for Queensland.
We scored the trifecta in the first 2yo event – the Brisbane Bloodstock Hopeful Plate (1000m) at Clifford Park, Toowoomba.
Whiskey Allround (pictured) by deceased Oaklands sire All Bar One, scored one of the most commanding wins in the event’s history.
He sprinted away from his rivals at the top of the straight for an eight and a half length victory over Angie’s Diary, by Raheen Stud stallion Publishing.
Pick and Run (by The Hammer) was a long nexk further back in third.
Tony Gollan is the trainer of Whiskey Allround, but when the owners wanted to target the Hopeful Plate, Darryl took over the care.
The father and son team have now won ten Hopeful Plates between them.
But it was the first major victory for jockey Damien Robinson since his move to Toowoomba from South Australia.
Whiskey Allround is part-owned and was bred by Geoff Schmidt, who had similar success in the Plate a few years ago with Carry on Kosa.
Whiskey Allround is a half-brother to former top Brisbane sprinter Steal the Cash.
INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS
Banchory Stud stallion, Seidnazar, is continuing his top international form.
Calling With Love had an impressive victory at Sha Tin last week.
The 4 year old gelding was originally sold as a yearling to New Zealand before being resold and their Horses in Training Sale for $110,000.
The international success was on top of two other victories from six starters on home soil last week, with a winner at Ipswich and another in Western Australia.
In Adelaide, Wattle Brae Stud sire Easy Rocking’s consistent galloper, The Bagman (pictured) continued his good form, taking our the Tokyo City Cup over 1800m at Morphetville on Saturday.
And Glenlogan Park sire, Falvenlon has another notch on his belt after Someday took out the first race at Doomben, the Kirks Handicap over 1350m.
QTIS REVIEW
The first stage of the Queensland Thoroughbred Incentive Scheme review has been conducted, with discussions yet to be held with Racing Queensland.We had some excellent feedback from our members, and along with ideas from the Committee, there appear to be similar themes that need to be considered as we move forward into the 2013/14 QTIS season:

  • Concerns about the ongoing changes and ‘disruption’ to the Scheme. Pundits want a concept to be developed, settled upon and left alone.
  • Small and affordable pay-ups that allow QTIS registration to be within reach of all breeders and owners
  • A broad distribution of prizemoney rather than ‘lump sum bonuses’ to enable more chance of winning the bonuses
  • Prizemoney to be spread between 2 year olds and 3 year olds. There was also substantial support for 4yo’s to be included in the bonuses however the majority of the Committee felt we need to establish good bonuses for
    two year olds and three year olds before we move into the 4 year old category.
With the above points in mind, the Committee feels that the best option at this stage would be to leave the current QTIS initiative in place as was decided upon at the meeting held between you and the TBQA in June 2012, just prior to the new 2012 QTIS registration.We do however believe there needs to be much better promotion of the scheme, as it is quite apparent from the feedback that people are very confused about costs, benefits and the exact aim of QTIS.

The Committee would also like to see an extension of the current QTIS to include some of the following points:

  • Free Racing
  • A breeder’s bonus – Possibly implementing an additional fee for breeders to pay that will then make them eligible for a ‘bonus’ when a yearling they have bred wins. (only one bonus available per yearling)
  • Cross Border QTIS – This ideally would work best if QTIS was instigated under a similar distribution system to BOBs, however the concept is:
    To have a second payup known as QTIS Extra. The scheme would incorporate any QTIS registered horse that races anywhere in Queensland, NSW or Victoria to be eligible for QTIS bonus prizemoney if it wins.
This in turn would open up a whole new buying bench for Queensland horses, as QTIS registered horses that are purchased by trainers right across Australia are eligible for bonus prizemoney when they race in the three states – Queensland, NSW and Victoria.
It also has major benefits for Queensland breeders who send their horses to sales in NSW or Victoria.
This ‘QTIS Extra’ would assist with breaking down barriers and encourage southern owners and trainers to come to Queensland to purchase yearlings, as well as send more mares to Queensland stallions, knowing that the progeny could be eligible for QTIS bonuses no matter where they race.
It is also apparent from our research that an initiative needs to be developed to encourage the promotion and sale of fillies. Some of the suggestions we have received in that regard include:
  • Extra bonuses on fillies races or providing a filly with an extra bonus when it wins a race, so that a filly is winning more money than a colt.
  • A scheme to promote QTIS and the QTIS sale by possibly offering ‘double-ups’ similar to that of BOBS, whereby instead of collecting $5,000 bonus prizemoney, you get $10,000 and at least two thirds of that must be spent at the next QTIS sale. There could possibly be a stipulation that a filly is to be purchased.
The TBQA committee looks forward to the next step – discussing the above with Racing Queensland and finalising a workable scheme so that we can move forward and continue to strengthen the Queensland industry.
ADSL CLOSURE
The TBQA is lobbying the State Government against the imminent closure of the Animal Disease Surveillance Laboratory in Toowoomba.
We believe that the closure of this regional laboratory poses a real risk to biosecurity in Queensland and to the equine industry in this state.
While we understand that it is the government position to outsource routine diagnostics procedures to the private sector, it is of utmost importance that Government funded surveillance work for exotic and emerging equine disease continues.
Surveillance testing for potentially zoonotic diseases such as Leptospirosis, Salmonellosis, Henipaviruses, Japanese Encephalitis, Ross River Fever as well as West Nile Virus and Kunjin Virus are vital to protect the equine industry in Queensland as well as the health of the general public.
ADSL plays a vital role in detecting and diagnosing Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) through foal necropsies. Abortion storms caused by EHV can lead to a significant economic loss to individual studs and to our industry as a whole and it is important to note that these diseases are readily transferred from horses to humans.
It is easy to say that samples and autopsies can be performed at the Brisbane centre; however we can confidently say this will not occur because farmers and stud managers from our region will not incur the costs, or hassle with the logistics of transporting deceased animals to Brisbane. There is also the problem of the animal further deteriorating during the extended travel time, especially in the warmer months.
Without such autopsies and samples it will be difficult to adequately diagnose any new or emerging diseases and ensure that any potential outbreaks are controlled immediately. Such delayed analysis could have a disastrous effect on not just the equine industry, but on human lives if it is a transferable disease such as Hendra Virus.
Victoria provides the perfect example of the failed bureaucratic system when the Bennalla pathology lab was closed and testing was moved to Attwood in Melbourne. There is now fewer tests being conducted and delays in samples being returned.
No courier company would transport aborted foetuses and it was extremely difficult logistically to get samples from North East Victoria down to the Attwood Laboratory. The same will apply here in south west Queensland.
The ADSL has a close working relationship with veterinarians in the field and this ‘local surveillance knowledge’ is likely to be lost by any centralisation of service to the capital city.
With this closure obviously being a cost cutting measure, the TBQA has urged the State Government to consider this:
The relative small operational costs that a functional laboratory such as the ADSL needs is far cheaper than the millions of dollars that would be required to manage exotic disease outbreaks; not to mention the potentially crippling effects on the State’s economy as was the case with Equine Influenza. The possible loss of human life goes well beyond any monetary value.
The TBQA had thought that the LNP would be more sympathetic to the agricultural industry and would be understanding of the high importance this Laboratory provides to not only South West Queensland, but the entire State. Unfortunately that does not appear to be the case.

We have written to the Agricutlure Minister, John McVeigh asking him reconsider this decision in the best interests of the safety of all Queenslanders.
SAD LOSS
It’s been a sad week for the breeding and racing industry with the tragic death of two high profile and highly respected collegues.
Dina Duff passed away last Saturday after a long battle with cancer. She was just 62 years old.
Dina is the wife of one of Queensland’s leading veteran trainers and a great supporter of the Queensland industry, Pat Duff.
On Friday Greg Atkins was killed in a tragic accident when he was kicked in the chest while treating a mare with colic at Patinack Farm.
Greg was a great horseman with a wealth of experience and is a sad loss for the industry.
The TBQA committee would like to pass on our condolences to both the Duff and Atkins families, out thoughts are with you at this difficult time.