Racing suspended at new Queensland greyhound track after deaths
Racing Queensland hopes to reschedule the meetings, but criticism is mounting.
Australia.- Racing at Queensland greyhound track The Q has been indefinitely suspended due to safety concerns after 11 dogs died in four months. The AUD85m (US$55m) venue only opened in April and was promoted as a state-of-the-art complex that would enhance animal welfare.
Stewards from the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission deemed the Q2 Parklands track to be “unsuitable for trialling or racing” after the cancellation of the Brisbane Cup due to a persistent “watering issue” that rendered the surface unsafe.
“Racing Queensland and the QGRC are focused on delivering a consistent and suitable racing surface before meetings are rescheduled,” Racing Queensland said in a statement. However, there is mounting pressure from advocacy groups and political figures.
The Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds claims that The Q has already become the deadliest greyhound racing track in the country, responsible for 11 of the 59 greyhound deaths nationwide in 2024.
“It’s incredibly worrying that races even went ahead last Saturday despite known concerns,” said Amy MacMahon, the coalition’s president and former Greens MP for South Brisbane. “The Q was marketed as the safest track in Australia. That claim is not only misleading, it’s dangerous.”
Queensland premier David Crisafulli promising accountability. “We’re serious about getting to the bottom of what happened,” he stated. Sports and racing minister Tim Mander is leading an investigation into the facility and its management.
