Queensland’s The Q greyhound racing hub to open in April 2025
Racing Queensland has begun transition arrangements for industry participants ahead of the opening of The Q, a state-of-the-art greyhound racing facility in Purga, Ipswich. The Q will feature three distinct tracks designed to offer a variety of racing conditions.
The Q Track Overview
An indefinite condition of nomination will be introduced, requiring any greyhound nominated for an event at The Q to have successfully trialled out of the starting boxes to the satisfaction of Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) stewards and/or Queensland Greyhound Racing Club (QGRC) officials at the specific track it is to be nominated for.
A satisfactory pre-nomination trial at The Q requires a greyhound to start from an approved starting box, run past the finishing post, and enter the catching pen.
If a greyhound has only trialled at Q1 Lakeside, it is only eligible to be nominated for and compete in events at Q1 Lakeside. Certain events may be exempt from this condition at Racing Queensland’s discretion.
Commissioning trial sessions will be available free of charge during the transition to racing, with the first sessions scheduled to commence on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
These sessions are not open to the public, and attendance is limited to essential personnel. Following the commissioning trials, picnic meetings will be held to assist participants and officials in familiarising themselves with the venue before the first official race meetings.
The first official race meeting at The Q is tentatively scheduled at Q1 Lakeside on Friday, April 4, 2025.
The Q Key Dates
All dates are subject to change, and attendance is strictly limited to participants with greyhounds trialling. Racing Queensland will provide further updates regarding trials, picnic meetings, and official race meetings at Q Straight and Q2 Parklands in the coming weeks.
The Q is a significant advancement in Queensland’s greyhound racing infrastructure, with an $85 million investment in modern design and safety features. It is one of the few facilities worldwide to offer a straight track, a one-turn track, and a two-turn track, providing a versatile racing environment.
The Queensland Greyhound Racing Club has received overwhelming support from members for its new constitution, paving the way for operations at The Q.
A 10-year wagering partnership has also been secured with Ladbrokes, one of the top Australian bookmakers, ensuring a strong financial future for the venue.
The introduction of 10-dog straight racing is planned to add further excitement to competition.
As The Q moves closer to its opening, it is set to redefine greyhound racing in Queensland, providing world-class facilities, enhanced safety measures, and a commitment to industry growth.