Comment: Jockey strike at Eagle Farm is Queensland racing’s number one issue
It doesn’t matter who is at fault or who is overreacting, the jockeys strike at Eagle Farm has to be resolved before it spirals out of control in a messy way, writes Trenton Akers.
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Houston we have a problem ... a 14-storey one at that.
The construction of a $135m block of apartments at the point of the home turn at Eagle Farm is now the biggest issue in Queensland racing and must be resolved as soon as possible.
With jockeys walking off the job on Saturday, it doesn’t matter who is to blame, or who might be overreacting.
The fact is that racing in Queensland can ill afford to again leave Eagle Farm, which hasn’t been without its fair share of track issues, for a prolonged period of time.
READ | Eagle Farm crisis: Jockeys refuse to ride over construction issue
Jockeys are refusing to race at the track until something is done about the issue, which they claim is causing horses to shift abruptly at the 600m mark, which saw Robbie Dolan hit the turf on Saturday.
Racing Queensland boss Jason Scott and chief steward Josh Adams were on the front foot on Sunday morning and keen to find a solution.
The issue needs leadership from all involved, and the Brisbane Racing Club are currently without a permanent CEO following the resignation of Tony Partridge last week.
A cricket-style sight screen could prove the answer, with Scott keen to build one around the outside of the track in an attempt to block out the horse’s view of the construction site, which also has a crane above it.
The jockeys are within their rights to withdraw their services and feel they haven’t been listened to about the issue for months.
A blame game now by others will achieve nothing now the proverbial horse has bolted.
Suggestions to ban horses who have not raced at Eagle Farm from nominating at the track is not the answer.
Nor is requiring every horse to trial there before being allowed to race.
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In reality, the Brisbane Racing Club are lucky the issue didn’t rare its head during a Group 1 over the winter carnival.
With the militant CFMEU putting the slows on the finishing touches of the 113-unit project, there needs to be a temporary fix to allow racing to return to Eagle Farm because construction could be going into next year.
In what is sure to cause further discussions, there are a further two apartment blocks set to be constructed around the home bend over the coming years.
Queensland racing can’t afford a repeat of Saturday’s events.
■ Trenton Akers is a senior racing journalist for News Corp Australia.
Originally published as Comment: Jockey strike at Eagle Farm is Queensland racing’s number one issue
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