Changes to Trial Booking System and Procedures to Improve Efficiency

Friday 20 March, 9.30am

 

The Queensland Greyhound Racing Club (QGRC) advises participants of several updates to the trial booking system and associated procedures.

These improvements have been developed in consultation with the Club’s Racing Subcommittee and the On The Clock (OTC) development team, with a strong focus on improving efficiency and delivering smoother trial sessions for all participants.

 

Bookings open 9am, close 3pm day prior, trial time confirmed after closing

Trial bookings will close at 3:00pm on the day prior to the scheduled trial session. When booking a trial, trainers will receive a tentative block time, which may be adjusted once bookings close at 3:00pm.

Bookings will close to allow the On The Clock system to complete its newly released automated clean‑up process. Trainers are reminded that cancellations must be made before 3:00pm—after this time, your booking remains locked in and no refunds will apply.

Once bookings close, the system will reorganise the schedule to remove gaps and group trials logically where possible, including putting a trainers’ number of trials closer together.  The system will also order trials based on the starting boxes and distances selected (from longest distance to shortest distance).

A confirmed block time will be issued via SMS and will appear under the ‘Upcoming Bookings’ in trainer’s OTC dashboard shortly after bookings close.

These changes are intended to support a smoother, more efficient trial day experience for all participants.

These changes will take effect from Sunday 22 March, for the Q1 trial session bookings for Monday 23 March.

 

Reminder: trainer etiquette

Please note: trials are booked in 30‑minute block intervals, and the order in which you book does not determine your position within the block.

Trainers are requested to arrive at the trainer’s car park 15 minutes before their allocated block time.

All persons attending The Q venue must adhere to the Conditions of Entry.

 

Catching fee added, but fully redeemable

Trial fees remain at the current rates, however a $5 catching fee has been added to the base trial fee and is payable at the time of booking via the On The Clock platform.

If a trainer provides a catcher for a trial, the fee will be refunded after the completion of the session. Trainers are required to box their greyhound to be eligible for this refund.

Refunds will be processed by Club staff within one business day and deposited into the participant’s OTC wallet. Note: participants who qualify for the 50% discount will only be charged a $2.50 catching fee.

 

Ensure you complete booking details correctly

Trainers are reminded to accurately complete all fields when booking trials.

Correct information assists staff in running sessions efficiently and ensures the new system changes operate as intended. Incorrect or incomplete details may affect the scheduling and flow of your trial. Should your booking/s be incorrect, please report any changes to your booked trials to the Trials Supervisor upon arrival.

 

You need to have sufficient funds in your wallet before booking a trial

Because the discount isn’t applied until after you’ve booked your trial/s, you need to have sufficient funds in your wallet before you book. Example – if booking a solo trial, please ensure your wallet has at least $25 (full price solo fee + catchers fee), otherwise, your booking will not be processed.

 

Bringing Additional Greyhounds or Requesting Extra Trials

Trainers seeking additional unbooked trials will only be accommodated if time permits within the session. In many cases, this may mean waiting until the conclusion of the scheduled program. Additional trials will be charged at the standard rate/s (no members discount) and processed by Club staff following the trial session via OTC.

If you choose to put additional greyhounds within your trial/s, this will be permitted, however, additional charges as per the Club’s current trial fees will be processed by Club staff following the trial session via OTC.

 

Q2 trials – new procedure upon arrival

For Q2 trials from the Tuesday 31 March, the trials supervisor will be stationed near the 520m boxes. Trainers are asked to report to the Trials Supervisor at that position upon arrival and follow the direction of the supervisor.

 

Kennel Foyer Scales Available

Scales are available for participant use in the kennel foyer between 7:00am and 9:00am on trial mornings and for the first hour of trials on Wednesday nights.

 

No trials Good Friday and Easter Monday, Wednesday Q1 post-races

There will be no trials conducted on Good Friday, 3 April (Q2), and Easter Monday, 6 April (Q1).

There will also be no Q1 trials post-races on Wednesday 1 April due to The Q hosting dual race meetings (QS day, Q1 night).