Racing returns to Eagle Farm

Christmas comes early for the Queensland racing industry on Saturday when a renovated Eagle Farm hosts its first meeting since May 2017.

Trainer Robert Heathcote at his Eagle Farm stables with with Zoechelon. Picture: Tara Croser

Christmas comes early for the Queensland racing industry on Saturday when a renovated Eagle Farm hosts its first meeting since May 2017.

“She’s the grand old lady of Queensland racing,” delighted trainer Robert Heathcote told The Courier-Mail from his Eagle Farm stables on Friday.

“If you want to use a racing analogy, it’s like Sydney not having Randwick, and Melbourne not having Flemington for such an extended period.

“It’s just nice to be back here.”

Heathcote has been outspoken in his criticism of the “stuff ups” that have hampered Eagle Farm since June 2014 when then Queensland treasurer Tim Nicholls first announced plans for a track and venue reconstruction.

The last meeting at the “old” Eagle Farm took place a couple of months later.

Racing returned to the “new” track in June 2016, but its failure to show improvement led to its demise in May last year, when jockeys described it as the “worst surface” they had ridden on.

Trainer Robert Heathcote at his Eagle Farm stables with with Zoechelon. Picture: Tara Croser.

“The cost to the industry has been huge. There have been stuff ups all the way through,” Heathcote said.

“I was confident two years ago with the ‘old’ new track, but this time they’ve got it right because they’ve not spared the resources.

“The fact that Racing Queensland and the BRC (Brisbane Racing Club) have worked in harmony, to produce this track, it’s what we’ve needed.

“They’ve thrown the finances at it to make sure they’ve got it right … we go forward now.”

Heathcote praised neighbouring track Doomben for coping with its over-use in recent years, but said the importance of returning to Eagle Farm couldn’t be overplayed, highlighting the fact it was the “most popular track” for racing, betting and historic reasons.

“Statistics have proven that wagering on the track at a meeting at Eagle Farm is 40 per cent more than Doomben, and Doomben’s 50 per cent more than any other track – that’s how big it is,” he said.

“Wagering’s the fuel that drives the engine of racing, so it’s really been costly to the entire industry.”

Horses put the new turf to the test during trials at Eagle Farm. Picture: Lachie Millard

Heathcote said the Eagle Farm track gave more horses a chance win.

“This new track, we’re confident it’s going to work. It’s longer, and I think, as a trainer, it’s also a fairer track,” he said.

“It allows the horses to get back, and to be able to run on. Doomben’s done a brilliant job but it tends to be a leader-biased track.

“To even visit, she’s an iconic treasure, she’s heritage listed … there are so many aspects of Eagle Farm which makes it a pleasurable day of racing.”

Racing Queensland CEO Brendan Parnell could not think of a more fitting time for racing to return to its “headquarters”.

“It’s amazing timing to be having this happen on the eve of Christmas – it’s a great present,” Parnell said.

“Different horses like Doomben to those that like Eagle Farm. Doomben has stepped up and taken the load really well … now they’ll all get a proper rest and recover for the big carnivals.”

Eagle Farm facilities under scrutiny

It’s not just the track that will be scrutinised when racing returns on Saturday to Eagle Farm, with the venue’s ageing facilities also under the microscope.

Brisbane Racing Club vice-chairman Richard Morrison admitted to having some nerves about how well the venue would stand up to the task of holding its first meet since May 2017.

“When you’ve got facilities as old as ours, there’s always some concern at the back of your mind when you go to turn them on after being turned off for 18 months that something’s not going to work right,” Morrison said.

“It’s like starting up a car after 18 months. There’s probably every chance there’s going to be some little problems.

“But our guys have been working feverishly for the past couple of weeks … and before that in fairness, just to make sure that all those little issues are ironed out before we return there. The boys have done everything they can to have the old girl race fit.”

The first trackwork gallops at the refurbished Eagle Farm earlier this month. Picture: Annette Dew

“We’ve got a new substation, and there have upwards of $1.4 million of electrical upgrades in recent months.”

Morrison said the expected crowd of between 3000 and 5000 should expect facilities to be in the “same state” in May last year.

Morrison said GPS timing system Trakus would be trialled on Saturday..

“But it’s not something we’ll be putting out on Sky Channel at this stage. We want to make sure it’s all working correctly prior to sending it out to the world,” he said.

New entry arrangements have been implemented at Eagle Farm. There are now two general entry points – vehicles via the infield and pedestrians via Gate 4 (Racecourse Rd).

The infield carpark is accessible only via Nudgee Rd at the northern end of the Racecourse Village Shopping Centre.

There are no other entry points except for disabled parking, horse floats and race meeting participants.