Chris Munce has ‘simple fix’ for Eagle Farm safety crisis

Former jockey Chris Munce says there is an easy solution that could have racing return to Queensland’s premier track sooner rather than later without costing a single cent.

Champion jockey-turned-trainer Chris Munce says there is a simple fix to the Eagle Farm fiasco which has seen riders down tools and refuse to race at the state’s premier track due to safety concerns.

Racing officials will build a 4m high sightscreen in an attempt to cover up the troublesome construction site at the top of the Eagle Farm straight, which jockeys say horses are getting spooked at when rounding the home turn, while there is also hope the removal of the mesh around the building will also help the situation.

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Munce, who enjoyed a storeyed career in the saddle before becoming a Group 1-winning trainer, believes racing could return to Eagle Farm much sooner than the September 14 date mooted this week with one simple step.

“The easiest and most logical fix for mine, and it is so simple, is to make every horse trot and canter down to the 600m and then canter back and have a look at it (the building) before the race,” he said.

“This is just my opinion, but if they sent every horse, doesn’t matter if they are trained at Eagle Farm or not, down there to have a look at the building.

“I honestly think it would solve the problem, that’s just my opinion.”

The mesh surrounding the construction is due to begin coming down this week. Picture: News Corp Australia

Munce said he understands where the jockeys are coming from over the issue, but said the industry needs to come together over it sooner rather than later to ensure racing returns to Eagle Farm.

“I’m not bagging the jockeys over this whole thing, but I think it could be solved,” he said.

“Don’t get me wrong, there is still a lot of jockey in me and I am an advocate for jockey safety, but I think this can be fixed.

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“I think it could be a really simple fix, I reckon you would be surprised by the improvement in the behaviour of the horses if they were taken down past the 600m.

“It is disappointing for racing in general that it has gotten to this point because Eagle Farm is our premier racetrack, now we can’t race there.

“Poor old Doomben is copping the workload again, I don’t think that’s right.”

Munce last week joined a training partnership with his son Corey.

Originally published as Chris Munce has ‘simple fix’ for Eagle Farm safety crisis