Jockeys, trainers, owners and breeders boycott Queensland races on the biggest track day of the year over state taxes

JOCKEYS, trainers, owners and breeders boycott Queensland races on the biggest track day of the year over state taxes.

THE Gold Coast will not have live racing on Melbourne Cup day because of a bitter feud over a new tax.

Queensland thoroughbred figures will strike on the biggest day on the national racing calendar on November 6 in retaliation to the State Government denying them a slice of a $70 million windfall.

Jockeys, trainers, owners and breeders announced late Thursday they would boycott all Queensland TAB meetings on Cup Day on November 6 and next Saturday’s Cox Plate day, when champion mare Winx goes for win number 29 in a row.

The strike means there will be no live racing on the Gold Coast on those days. However, the gates will still be open so punters can party on two of the biggest days on the national racing calendar.

Revellers at last year's Melbourne Cup Day at the Gold Coast Turf Club (2017)

Doomben, Toowoomba and Townsville will also forego live racing.

Key thoroughbred figures are annoyed about how the State Government plans to spend the proceeds of a new 15 per cent tax on all bookmakers betting on Queensland races.

The tax is estimated to produce $70 million in the first year and $100 million in the next.

The Queensland government, through Treasurer Jackie Trad, has proposed to split the $70m three ways:

* A one-off $20 million grant will be given to harness and greyhound racing.

* The $17.5 million “write-off’ of an existing $35 million loan Racing Queensland owes the Government.

* $35 million to cover the tax of betting organisation Ubet which has an agreement for Racing Queensland to cover any additional taxes the betting shop owes.

Fashions of the Field contenders at the Gold Coast Turf Club's Melbourne Cup Day festivities (2017)

Racing Queensland wants some of the money to be used to increase prizemoney.

In contrast, NSW has introduced a 10 per cent tax while increasing prizemoney by $24 million while Victoria has eight per cent tax and is increased prizemoney by $12.4 million for participants.

Gold Coast Turf Club boss Steve Lines predicts the strike will cost the club more than $300,000.

He stressed scheduled functions on both days at the club would continue and the betting ring would be operational.

Queensland Thoroughbred Alliance of trainers’ Cameron Partington said: “After years of neglect by various governments and with the current negotiations reaching a standstill with no sign of a positive resolution, the move to industrial action by the racing participants of Queensland is unfortunately now unavoidable.

Race 6 winner Soft Top, ridden by jockey Ryan Plumb on Saturday at the Gold Coast Turf Club. Picture: Jerad Williams

“Despite claims that 100 per cent of this new tax will be returned to racing, the clear fact is none of this will be returned to thoroughbred racing this year.

“Prizemoney is our wages. Ten years ago our people were receiving 75 per cent of what NSW racing delivered in prizemoney and now Queensland sits at 45 per cent.

“The significant financial investment from this new betting tax given by the other states into their racing industries is in stark contrast to what is shown in Queensland.”

Race 6 winner Soft Top (orange top on right), ridden by jockey Ryan Plumb on Saturday at the Gold Coast Turf Club. Picture: Jerad Williams

The standoff adds another dark chapter to an industry that has been marred in controversy in recent years, including:

* Botched upgrades of Brisbane’s Eagle Farm that has dragged on for four years.

* The absence of greyhound and harness racing on the Gold Coast following their eviction from Parklands.

* The live baiting scandal that led to all Queensland racing boards being dismissed and six trainers suspended.

* Harness industry’s race fixing controversy that led to multiple men, including some from Queensland, being charged.