Harness racing forced to wait for new home with no decision yet on future of Albion Park

AFTER the completion of a successful winter harness racing carnival on Saturday night, the future of Albion Park still remains in limbo.

AFTER the completion of a successful winter harness racing carnival on Saturday night, the future of Albion Park still remains in limbo.

It is understood a venue for a new south east Queensland greyhound track is getting closer to being finalised, but a solution to a home for harness is a lot further away.

Racing Queensland chairman Steve Wilson has made it clear his preference is to sell the venue; while the Albion Park Harness Racing Club wants to stay.

Up until now, the proposal to sell has been stalled by a lack of approvals.

But language out of the Labor government suggests there’s a mood for change.

Asked recently at a press conference whether she would support a sell off of Albion Park, former Racing Minister Grace Grace refused to hose down the suggestion.

“At the end of the day what we’ve got to do in this area is make sure facilities for harness and greyhounds and thoroughbreds are modern, that they are fit for purpose, that they are safe for the animals and that they provide for future growth,” she said.

Racing Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said of 40 possible sites identified for potential greyhound or harness venues “just four remain on the short list.”

Either way, the building of a new home for harness will take at least two years, so the empty space in front of the winning post, masked only by a part-time marquee and the scaffolding where officials and broadcasters are housed, will have to make do for some time yet.

The future of Albion Park still remains unclear.

EVEREST CONTENDERS

THE Australian Turf Club have fielded international and domestic interest for its slot in October’s $13 million The Everest, with the likes of Kementari, Vega Magic and Nature Strip among the names up for consideration.

“There’s a limited number of Group 1 performed horses, so you wouldn’t want to be going into October without a horse,” ATC chairman Laurie Macri said.

“My guess is we will narrow that list down to one or two in the next few weeks.

“I don’t think we will be disappointed in the horse we select, unfortunately we might disappoint an owner and a trainer by not selecting them.

“That’s what plays on our mind in the selection process We would love to see all of these great horses in the race, what makes it fascinating is that they all can’t get in.”

MARKET

MEMSIE STAKES

SEPTEMBER 1

$4.50 Kementari

$10 Happy Clapper, Le Romain, Santa Ana Lane, Vega Magic

$14 Silent Sedition, Unforgotten

$16 Black Heart Bart, Grunt, Hey Doc, Home Of The Brave, Jungle Cat, Material Man

$21+ Others

Odds: Ladbrokes

THIS WEEK

Tuesday: Rockhampton, Wyong, Warren, Pakenham (synthetic)

Wednesday: Doomben, Canterbury, Sandown Hillside, Murray Bridge, Belmont

Thursday: Townsville, Kembla Grange, Cranbourne, Pinjarra

Friday: Ipswich, Ballina, Mildura, Broome, Canberra (acton)

Saturday: Doomben, Rosehill, Caulfield, Morphettville, Belmont, Townsville, Beaudesert, Bundaberg, Clermont, Julia Creek, Longreach, Roma, Gosford, Mildura, Darwin

Sunday: Sunshine Coast, Tamworth, Sapphire Coast, Bairnsdale, Gawler, Kalgoorlie, Devonport (synthetic)

THE QUOTE

“It’s unfortunate, but that’s the way we see it.”

— Acting Chief Stipe Daniel Aurisch to Corey Bayliss after handing down the suspension.

THE TALKING POINT

The six-week suspension to Corey Bayliss for his ride on Tumbler. Opinions were sharply divided, with a poll conducted by punters.com showing 43 per cent of respondents felt the penalty was too harsh, 36 per cent “about right” and 21 per cent “too lenient.”

Fellow jockeys weighed into the argument, including the experienced Ryan Wiggins, who said “Kid riding his third Saturday meeting. No consistency, he made a mistake and that’s it. Wrong decision for me.”

Jackson Murphy celebrates his first metropolitan double after winning on Pressway. Picture: Trackside Photography

THE RIDE

While Corey Bayliss was having a day to forget, Jackson Murphy had a day to remember with his first Saturday city winner turning into a winning double. His effort on Pressway was particularly noteworthy. Although it wasn’t all thumbs up — his boss Chris Anderson wasn’t taken by the effort on Penasquito, who was set a task before dropping out to run last.

THREE TO BACK

Shesees Everything, Doomben, Race 7: Beaten, but very good again. Can bounce back next time.

Sornja, Doomben, Race 5: Promising return.

Natch, Doomben, Race 6: In rare form.

RISK

Courtza King found some admirers in betting ($15 early in the week to start $7) and had a picnic in front, but somehow managed to miss the place.

SHARP SHOOTERS

Italia Bella opened at double figures (even allowing for deductions it was still around the $9 mark in most places) on Wednesday, but by Friday afternoon the money had started to roll in. It kept coming on course as she firmed officially from $4.20 to $3.20 and bolted in.