Rule Changes to Arrival Times and Dual-Acceptors

21 November 2025

The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) advises all thoroughbred racing participants of important changes to the Rules of Racing, which became effective from 1 November 2025. These changes align with Racing Queensland’s recently updated Local Rules and are critical for compliance in race meetings.

QRIC urges all trainers, connections, and participants to familiarise themselves with these changes to ensure smooth race day operations and compliance with race meeting protocols.

Key Rule Changes:

  1. Local Rule 30 – Time for Horse Arrival
    The prescribed arrival time for horses engaged in the first race at Metropolitan Race Meetings has been amended. Horses must now be present in the raceday stall area at least 2 hours before the scheduled start time of the race, an increase from the previous requirement of 1.5 hours. This creates uniformity across the race meeting and allows adequate time for sample collection.
  2. Local Rule 36 – Nomination, Declaration of Acceptance, and Scratching
    The conditions governing horses accepted in more than one race (dual-acceptors) at the same race meeting have been updated as follows:
  • Trainers must elect which race engagement the horse will fulfill by withdrawing it from all other races by 5.00 PM on the day of acceptances, except when the horse is an emergency runner in an alternate race.
  • Should an emergency runner gain a start in an alternate race, the trainer must decide which race the horse will contest by withdrawing it from others by 5.00 PM on the day the emergency start is confirmed or the advertised scratching deadline, whichever is earlier.
  • Failure to comply with these requirements may result in stewards exercising discretion to scratch the horse from all but one race.

Full details and the amended wording of these Local Rules can be found on the Racing Queensland website at  www.racingqueensland.com.au/industry/thoroughbred/rules

For any queries or further information, please contact ThoroughbredStewards@qric.qld.gov.au.