Eagle Farm closed indefinitely in fight to overcome track fiasco

EAGLE Farm racecourse will be closed for an extended period as efforts are made to overcome problems with its much-maligned surface.

Excessive turf kickback occurring on the track during the Darley Kingsford Smith Cup Day, formerly BTC Cup Day, at Eagle Farm Racecourse in Brisbane, Saturday, May 27, 2017. (AAP Image/Glenn Hunt) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

EAGLE Farm racecourse will be closed for an extended period as efforts are made to overcome problems with its much-maligned surface.

Three Group 1 meetings, the Oaks, Stradbroke and Tatt’s Tiara, have been transferred from Eagle Farm to Doomben.

It followed complaints the track played to a heavy rating last Saturday when there had been no rain for two weeks.

Brisbane Racing Club chairman Neville Bell said the club was working with Racing Queensland to find the best solution to the track problems.

He said he could not say exactly how long Eagle Farm would be closed or where most of its meetings would go.

Three Group 1 meetings, the Oaks, Stradbroke and Tatt’s Tiara, have been transferred from Eagle Farm to Doomben. Picture: Grant Peters

“It’s expected most will go to Doomben but nothing has been finalised,” Bell said.

It is understood Eagle Farm is likely to be closed for three to six months and perhaps until after the Magic Millions meetings on the Gold Coast in January.

The Ipswich racetrack, which hosts midweek racing, is to undergo a $13 million makeover.

The upgrade of most of the off-track facilities will be funded through an RQ racecourse infrastructure fund.

Excessive kickback occurs at Eagle Farm on Kingsford Smith Cup Day. Picture: AAP

Originally published as Eagle Farm closed indefinitely in fight to overcome track fiasco