BRC chairman Neville Bell hopeful Queensland Oaks meeting won’t be a wash out

BRC chairman Neville Bell hopes the fact he had to wear sunglasses at Eagle Farm on Friday was an omen for Saturday’s Queensland Oaks meeting being able to dodge the predicted deluge.

BRISBANE Racing Club chairman Neville Bell hopes the fact he had to wear sunglasses at Eagle Farm late Friday was an omen for Saturday’s Queensland Oaks meeting being able to dodge the predicted deluge.

Bell said information from the Bureau Of Meteorology had given him hope that the most serious weather would hold off until late Saturday, allowing the meeting to proceed.

“Our highest priority is the safety of horses, participants and patrons,’’ Bell said. “We will be guided by authorities, but the track will be safe for racing.

“Racing will go ahead as long as safety and visibility is fine for the riders. This track will handle drenching rain. If we were on the old track we would have already looked at transferring races.

“We are fully committed to the raceday. The 4000 corporate bookings have all confirmed they will be coming — rain, hail or shine.’’

Bell hopes the restart at Eagle Farm does not mirror what happened at the track’s opening 150 years ago. “The original meeting was washed out and they had to run it three days later,” he said. “The last day at the track in August 2014 was also washed out.’’

Top local jockey Ryan Wiggins walked Eagle Farm on Friday and said it had improved considerably to when he last rode on it.

“It’s amazing how much better it’s got in two weeks since the jump-outs, so fingers crossed we don’t get too much rain,” Wiggins said.

Queensland Jockeys Association president Glen Prentice said the meeting going ahead would be guided by stewards and the feedback they received from jockeys.

“As long as it is safe for racing and the visibility is OK, hopefully it will go ahead,” he said. “Looking at the weather reports, it certainly hangs in the balance.’’

Originally published as BRC chairman Neville Bell hopeful Queensland Oaks meeting won’t be a wash out