Racing Queensland has amended its awards criteria which gives it the right to exclude anyone deemed to be unsuitable from winning a season award such as premierships.
The new rules, which are effective immediately, follow similar rules being introduced in Victoria after the disqualification of leading trainer Darren Weir.
The problem was highlighted in Queensland when trainer Ben Currie was disqualified in May.
At the time he was leading the state trainers’ premiership but he has since been overtaken by Tony Gollan.
In a media release on Wednesday, RQ said with the new racing season commencing on Thursday it was time to protect the sanctity of awards.
The release said there would be a number of eligibility conditions. They include:
* A licensed or registered person is ineligible to win any RQ premiership, medal or award during a racing year if the person engages in conduct that results in a disqualification or warning off from racing for any period of time;
* That person serves any period of a disqualification or warning off, regardless of when the offending conduct occurred;
* That person engages in conduct that results in a suspension of their licence or registration (or any privilege attached to their licence or registration) for a period of two months or more.
RQ also retains full discretion to revoke any premiership, medal or award which has been won for any particular racing year.
The governing body can take this action if the winning person is subsequently deemed to be ineligible due to a disqualification or conducted themselves in a manner which has undermined the integrity, reputation or public image of racing.
