RACING: Racing Queensland has announced it has elected to retain key components of the existing Queensland Thoroughbred Incentive Scheme (QTIS), a decision which will be welcomed by many industry figures in the Warwick area.

Following the release of the Tracking Towards Sustainability (TTS) Plan, Racing Queensland consulted with key stakeholders including the Queensland Thoroughbred Breeders Association (QTBA), the Queensland Racehorse Owners' Association (QROA), the Queensland Trainers' Association (QTA) and the Australian Trainers' Association (ATA) to further discuss proposed changes.

As a result, Racing Queensland has confirmed a revised QTIS structure which will be applicable from July 1, 2016. The features of the new structure are as follows:

QTIS bonuses on two year old (YO) and 3YO racing to remain at current levels;

The six per cent Breeders' bonus to be maintained;

QTIS bonuses on black type racing to be discontinued;

QTIS bonuses on 4YO racing to be discontinued;

Restricted racing will be subject to available funding within the QTIS budget.

Meanwhile Queensland Thoroughbred Breeders Association (QTBA) president Basil Nolan, of Raheen stud, Gladfield, said it was a major win for the Queensland racing and breeding industry.

"We're very happy and grateful that Racing Queensland and the Queensland Government has listened to our concerns about QTIS,'' said Nolan.

"I think everyone will benefit from the retention of QTIS in its present form, as every participant in the racing industry benefits from a scheme like this.

"To have the QTIS prizemoney staying the same is a massive boost for the Queensland industry and I'm sure people will have confidence in the breeding industry going forward."

Nolan said his understanding was that cutbacks in four-year-old QTIS bonuses were on city meetings.

"I am confident bonuses will continue for four-year-olds in the country," he said.

"There were no payouts in the city for four-year-old winners in the past year. Four-year-olds in the country need some incentive."

Eastern Downs Racing Association secretary Jim Costello said it was important that bonuses be maintained for four-year-olds.

"We have a QTIS Race in Warwick every second meeting with most of the starters three and four-year-olds," he said.

"If the bonuses stopped, it would mean less starters in QTIS races in the country and would be detrimental to country racing."

As for threats about loss of race meetings, Costello said country race meetings would be untouched in the next two years due to the injection of $21million by the State Government over four years. "Who knows after that," Costello said.