Eagle Farm crisis breakthrough as jockeys secret dossier of incidents revealed
A dossier of every incident at the 600m mark at Eagle Farm since September 2021 has been revealed for the first time, as jockeys strike an agreement on what it will take to get them back riding at Eagle Farm after walking off the job on Saturday.
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New signage will be constructed around Eagle Farm in an attempt to cover up a construction site which has caused jockeys to walk off the job and refuse to ride in unprecedented circumstances.
Racenet can reveal the Queensland Jockeys Association has agreed to return to racing at Eagle Farm once new signage is erected from the 700m mark until around the 400m in an attempt to stop horses taking fright at the set of apartments being built.
A set of trials for horses not trained on the track will also need to be completed without any incidents before they agree to return to racing at the state’s premier racetrack.
READ | Eagle Farm crisis: Jockeys refuse to ride over construction issue
Some jockeys contacted by Racenet acknowledged there was an issue at the 600m mark, however privately said they would be happy to race there in its current setting.
It comes as a dossier compiled by the Queensland Jockeys Association involving every incident relating to the issue can be made public for the first time.
It details more than a dozen separate incidents that have been raised with the Brisbane Racing Club, dating back as far as September 2021.
The dossier reveals all incidents which were raised with officials involve horses not trained at Eagle Farm.
It came to a head on Saturday when Robbie Dolan was thrown from his mount when another horse inside him shifted ground abruptly at the 600m mark.
Dolan faces a month on the sidelines with a broken wrist, with the jockeys association saying it is lucky that is the only injury so far.
“We should be counting our lucky stars that Robbie (Dolan) is here today and walking around with only a broken wrist, it could have been a lot worse,” QJA general manager Glen Prentice said.
“At the end of the day, we don’t want to stop racing here, this is our premier racetrack, every jockey wants to come to Eagle Farm to ride, but they want to be able to go home to their family that night as well.”
WATCH SOME OF THE INCIDENTS IN DOSSIER BELOW
26 January, 2024 Eagle Farm Race 5
Near the 500m, UP THE COUNTRY (3YO) shifted in abruptly and as a result jockey Ben Thompson became extremely awkward in the saddle. When questioned, Jockey B Thompson stated that his mount raced tractably until passing the 600m, and in his opinion may have shied at construction on the outside of the course proper placing him at a disadvantage.
Trainer: Holly Williams
Trained at Tamworth
Rail: +12m entire
23 March, 2024 Eagle Farm Race 2
CRYPTIC VERSE (4YO) approaching approximately the 500m shied at construction site – lost rider (Jockey Anthony Allen).
Trainer: Joshua King
Trained at Toowoomba
Rail: +2.5 entire
20 April, 2024 Eagle Farm Race 1
THE FIXER (4YO) approaching the 550m horse took fright at the new construction. Jockey Damien Thornton reported this to the Stewards.
Trainer: Jack Bruce
Trained at Sunshine Coast
Rail: +1m entire
27 April, 2024 Eagle Farm Race 3
BRUTAL BOWLER (2YO) first starter approaching the 600m shied at construction site. Jockey Andrew Mallyon reported this to the Stewards.
Trainer: Kris Lees
Trained at Gold Coast Turf Club
Rail: +3m entire
Around the 600m, M Rodd’s mount LA COMETA (NZ) (2YO) in black cap races ungenerously.
Trainer: Shaun Dwyer
Trained at Sunshine Coast
Rail: +11m entire
Around 600m mark, Kyle Wilson-Taylor’s mount BEAN FOGGY (5YO) in tallow with red cap (in 2nd last position)
Trainer: Darren Graham
Trained at Murwillumbah
Rail: +11m entire
29 June, 2024 Eagle Farm Race 9
Around the 600m, Damien Thornton’s mount IOWNA MERC began awkwardly. Over raced in the early stages. Approaching the 600m, became awkward in its action and lost ground. Damien Thornton told the stewards it was the building but they wrote up as ‘’became awkward in its action’’
Trainer: Bjorn Baker
Trained at Warwick Farm
Rail: +6m 1600-1000m; +7m remainder
Originally published as Eagle Farm crisis breakthrough as jockeys secret dossier of incidents revealed
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