The verdict: Racing Queensland stick to winter schedule as clubs prepare to take a hit amid coronavirus crisis
Authorities around the nation continue to do everything possible to keep the wheels of racing moving amid the coronavirus outbreak, as the alternative will be devastating.
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Authorities around the nation continue to do everything possible to keep the wheels of racing moving, as the alternative will be devastating.
New measures were introduced at Eagle Farm on Saturday, with jockeys again paramount.
Everyone associated with the industry knows how important it is to keep racing.
At this stage, there has been no suggestion of the Queensland Carnival being stripped back and Racing Queensland is planning to progress as per programmed.
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“We expect New Zealand numbers to be down, but there’s some good Kiwis already in Australia so hopefully they stay and target the carnival and the interstate ones can as they always do,” RQ chief executive Brendan Parnell said.
“The carnival is still scheduled to be the carnival, but until further notice will be patron-free.
“That doesn’t look like abating any time soon. The impact of crowdless carnivals however means millions of dollars lost to the major clubs.”
If racing does continue, compensation of the clubs that are holding the meetings will be paramount and it will be a key discussion point again this week. But if compensating the clubs is the biggest issue, it would be a “good” problem to have, as the alternative is dire.
“The key focus is trying to keep racing for as long as we can,” Parnell said.
“It’s one thing dealing with the issues that are going to arise if we keep racing, but if racing is shut down it’s on a different level and quite devastating.
“Racing has 11,500 full-time employees and another 7000 volunteers.
“The businesses of trainers and a host of other small business will be under threat without our ability to pay prizemoney. As well as the employment and financial fallout, there are also huge implications around animal welfare.”
Track is no pretty sight
After warning signs a fortnight back, alarm bells are ringing about the deterioration of the Eagle Farm track.
The Brisbane Racing Club and RQ moved two Saturday meetings away from Eagle Farm after the surface chopped out on March 7 and it was noticeably worse again on Saturday as the effects of the recent disease in the grass were there for all to see.
Leading trainer Matt Dunn was scathing of both the surface and stewards for not adjusting the status of the track.
“Today is just unacceptable and the fact the stewards didn’t downgrade the track is even worse,’’ he said. “It’s like swiss cheese and is racing like a Heavy 10.
“There’s clods coming up as big as human beings. It’s a disgrace what happened there today.
“If they had downgraded like it should have been, I would have scratched. Now I have to explain to my owners why my horse (Xanthus) couldn’t pick its feet up.”
Premier trainer Tony Gollan said it was the worst the track has seen, but it wasn’t a total surprise.
“It’s an ugly look today,’’ Gollan said. “There’s no running away from that, but the first step in rectifying a problem is admitting it and they (BRC/RQ) have done that.
“We just have to hope they can get it right.
“They’ve told us there’s a problem and they are doing their best to address it.”
Track specialist Mick Goodie said he wasn’t surprised at how it raced yesterday.
“It does look terrible on TV, I will concede that, but they aren’t getting into the track,’’ he said. “It’s more what’s on top. This won’t be fixed overnight.
“We had another lot of sprays and fertiliser this week.
“I would expect we will see some improvement at the April 4 meeting and that’s why we continue to push the rail out and have moved a couple of meetings.”
Eagle Farm has another three Saturdays scheduled before the Group 1 Kingsford Smith/Queensland Derby meeting in May.
Millions far from weak
So much for it being a weak Magic Millions this year.
There was plenty of commentary south of the border how “there’s no way the Slipper winner is on the Gold Coast” this year.
Lo and behold, the Magic Millions provided the Slipper quinella.
Farnan became the sixth horse to run in a Magic Millions and win the Slipper.
Away Game became the eighth Magic Millions winner to run top three in a Golden Slipper, following Dance Hero, Phelan Ready, Capitalist (all won), Clan O’Sullivan, Excellerator (second), Assertive Lad and Sunlight (third).
In a triumph for the Magic Millions company, the first six across the line were sold on the Gold Coast.
Epic result for Ross
Les Ross continues to confound punters, with Mishani Epic the latest surprise packet with his $51 success on Saturday. The two-year-old showed talent in his lone spring run, but had been beaten 6.7 and 5.9 lengths in his two prior runs this time in.
SKY presenter Mike Maxworthy didn’t mince words when he said “how did that possibly win?” in the wake of another Ross boilover. But it’s become the norm for Ross runners.
Mishani Epic is Ross’ sixth Eagle Farm winner this season, with the previous winners coming at starting prices of $12, $21, $7.50, $41 and $4.50 (the latter in from $8 in the morning).
The trainer said he expected improvement from Mishani Epic, but not necessarily enough to see him win. Ross dedicated the win to owner Mike Crook’s late wife Patty, as yesterday marked the second anniversary of her passing.
#NOTE: With restrictions around access to jockeys during the coronavirus lockdown, the column “How the favourites fared” will not run. It will return when restrictions are eased.
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