Interstate participants arrive in Queensland for Constellations Harness Racing Carnival 

10 June 2025

The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) is preparing to welcome interstate participants to Queensland’s Harness Racing Constellations Carnival. 

The Constellations Carnival begins on Friday, 13 June 2025 and concludes on Saturday, 19 July with the Interdominion finals at Albion Park. 

With participants from across Australia set to race during the carnival, QRIC Stewards would like to remind all participants about their stabling and notification obligations while in Queensland. 

QRIC Acting Chief Steward of Harness, Norm Torpey said participants travelling from interstate must notify QRIC Stewards of their stabling arrangements on or before their arrival in Queensland. 

“All interstate participants need to advise Queensland Stewards of their stabling arrangements throughout the carnival in the event of a biosecurity issue or for compliance measures such as random or intelligence-led stable inspections and sampling,” he said. 

Participants should notify Stewards of their stabling arrangements by emailing: HarnessStewards@qric.qld.gov.au.  

Mr Torpey said all participants, even those who race regularly in Queensland, should familiarise themselves with the Rules of Racing, especially regarding whip use and pre-race starting protocols. 

“Even if you regularly race in Queensland, you should review your obligations around whip use, starting and other rule breaches to ensure your knowledge is up to date,” Mr Torpey said. 

“Ignorance or lack of knowledge about the rules will not be accepted, by Stewards, in respect of breaches. Participants can find details of their obligations in the QRIC Harness Racing Penalty Guidelines on the QRIC website.” 

Breaches under the Rules of Racing may result in disciplinary action being taken.  

Participants are also reminded that QRIC’s Compliance Assurance Team (CAT) will be present at and away from race meetings in Queensland, including the Constellations Carnival. CAT Stewards conduct in and out of competition stable inspections and sampling so treatment records should be kept up to date. 

QRIC has an anywhere, anytime sample collection strategy – all race winners will be sampled, and racing participants should also be prepared for random sampling throughout the Constellations Carnival. 

ENDS. 

Media Contact:   0438 544 628 | communication@qric.qld.gov.au