Redcliffe Paceway Archives - Redcliffe Today

New Lighting Upgrade Enhances Racing Safety in Redcliffe

Redcliffe has unveiled a major lighting upgrade at its Paceway, delivering improved visibility and enhanced safety for horses and participants.

Redcliffe Paceway is now operating under new broadcast-quality lighting, following a $6 million infrastructure upgrade funded by the State through the Racing Infrastructure Fund. The improvements are expected to enhance both safety and visibility at one of the State’s busiest harness racing venues.

Redcliffe Paceway lighting upgrade — *Photo Credit: QLD Gov*

Key Venue for Queensland Racing

The Redcliffe Harness Racing Club, known for its distinctive ‘Triangle’ track, hosts nearly half of Queensland’s annual harness racing meetings. The site accommodates approximately 300 horses for training and trials each week, with racing under lights being a signature feature of the venue.

The lighting upgrade is part of a broader strategy to modernise racing facilities across the state. Authorities have pledged to carry out what it describes as the most comprehensive review of racing infrastructure in Queensland’s history.

Technical Improvements and Industry Impact

The state-of-the-art lighting aims to improve the quality of night race broadcasts and support safer trackwork during early morning hours. The State highlighted the broader economic significance of the industry, noting that harness racing contributes $232 million to the Queensland economy.

The state spokesperson said the lighting upgrade would not only improve animal and participant welfare but also strengthen the reputation of the Redcliffe facility as a premier harness racing venue.

Redcliffe Harness Racing Club President Mark McNee described the lighting as a “game changer”, emphasising the improvement in safety conditions for both horses and trainers.

Part of Statewide Review into Racing

The upgrade aligns with the broader Queensland Racing Review, which launched in 2025. The independent review aims to ensure long-term sustainability of the state’s three racing codes—thoroughbred, harness, and greyhound—while upholding integrity and animal welfare standards.

Key focus areas of the review include financial sustainability, infrastructure improvements, and community engagement. Industry stakeholders are invited to provide feedback through a public discussion paper, with submissions open until 7 April 2025.

*Photo Credit: Redcliffe Harness Racing Club/Facebook*

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Looking Ahead: Major Events at Redcliffe

Redcliffe is set to host several high-profile events in the coming months, including the Trot Rods series in April and the premier race meeting of the Queensland Constellations in June. Featured races will include the $100,000 Group 2 Redcliffe Gold Cup, alongside the Redcliffe Derby and Oaks.

Published 29-Mar-2025

Newly Upgraded Redcliffe Paceway Reopens to Public

After completing its $300,000 worth of track upgrade, Redcliffe Paceway is back and running for race meetings once again.

On 16 October 2019, the Redcliffe Paceway reopened its doors to the public to unveil its newly upgraded race tracks. It has been more than a decade since its last upgrade, and that is why this outcome is significant to all racing participants, enthusiasts and Racing Queensland as a whole.

Racing Minister Stirling Hinchliffe and Attorney-General and Member for Redcliffe Yvette D’Ath inspected the venue after stewards approved the return to racing.

Both Mr Hinchliffe and Mrs D’Ath agree that the track upgrade of Redcliffe Paceway is terrific news for the region given the fact that the harness racing industry has been a significant contributor to the economy.

“Add to that the fact that new economic data has revealed that harness racing is responsible for generating $21.7 million to the Moreton Bay economy each year,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“More than 18,000 people come to harness racing meetings here, and there are more than 600 participants, including 65 trainers.

“Most significantly, however, is that it provides more than 180 full-time jobs right here in Moreton Bay, which is why the Palaszczuk Government supports racing in the Sunshine State,” he said.

“With more than 100 race meetings each year, it will provide participants with a new and improved racing surface and upgraded training facilities,” Mrs D’Ath shared.

According to Bernie Ring, President of the Redcliffe Harness Racing Club, the newly upgraded 800 metre track looks incredible. He further mentioned that in time, once the track has settled into all Redcliffe Paceway’s participants, he believes that we will see faster and perhaps record-beating races in the future.

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Community Races to Help Toddler in Redcliffe Paceway Accident with More than $81,000 Donation

The Redcliffe community has come together to raise more than $81,000 in funds for the medical expenses and recovery of a toddler involved in a freak accident at the Redcliffe Paceway.

On Sunday, the 24th of March 2019, two-year-old Lara Whitaker was standing by the sidelines with her father Gary Whitaker, a prominent harness racing driver, her mom Joedy, and her one-year-old brother when the gate of a pace vehicle smashed towards the family after it failed to retract.

The toddler was rushed to the Queensland Children’s Hospital where doctors determined she suffered massive injuries to her face and abdomen. Her condition has stabilised but she remains in critical care.

The rest of the family were also treated for cuts and minor injuries.

Following the accident, Australian Trotting Driving Champion Scott McCarthy set up a GoFundMe page for the Whitakers. Initially, the fundraising effort had a goal of $5,000 but generous donations from the community, especially from different racing clubs, poured in.

Nine days following the accident, the GoFundMe page received nearly $80,000. Within a month of the fundraising effort, 385 people have donated to help little Lara with her medical expenses and recovery.

On the 11th of May, the Redcliffe Harness Racing Club shared an update on Lara’s condition with a photo of a smiling toddler.

*Photo Credit: Redcliffe Harness Racing Club/Facebook*

The accident is still under investigation by the police, the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission, and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.