Country rejoices in Eagle Farm reopening, but jockeys warn new surface may cut up later
BLAKE Shinn created history and gave a glowing first impression of the new Eagle Farm track following My Country’s win in the Lancaster Stakes.
BLAKE Shinn created history and gave a glowing first impression of the new Eagle Farm track, as other jockeys warned it is likely to cut up through the day following My Country’s win in the Lancaster Stakes.
The Peter and Paul Snowden trained filly sat close to the speed and fought off a determined challenge from Invincibella to land the first race run at Eagle Farm since August 2014.
Shinn was at the front of the field, so didn’t have to deal with any kickback, but couldn’t have been more effusive in his praise of the new $22 million layout.
“It rode perfectly. The surface was great, the camber was perfect and it’s a credit to everyone involved. Given the amount of rain they had here, it has drained very well,” he said.
“It’s great to be here. It’s a fantastic atmosphere and I’ve made history. I’ve won the first race on the new track.”
Riders back in the field said there was the predicted kickback and expect it to cut out as the day wears on, with plenty of moisture still in the ground.
The official time was 71.02, with a final sectional of 34.81.
“It feels softer than the rating. But it is very even and there is no particular spot where it is softer than the other spots,” Tommy Berry rider of the unplaced Snow Fields, said.
Hugh Bowman just missed on Invincibella.
“It wasn’t too bad but it was a little bit loose in places and it will be interesting later in the day,” he said.
Both James McDonald and Tim Clark said the track raced OK but there was some kickback.
Eagle Farm track manager Sean Bridges said there were no surprises with the way the track played or the comments from the jockeys.
“To my eye it played pretty much as expected. It’s nothing out of the ordinary,” he said.
UBET reported a winning result on the historic first race, with runner-up Invincibella ($7-$3.20) easily the worst way for the book.
One thing missing in day of firsts at the Farm
ROB Heathcote’s only regret was that officials failed to program Saturday’s Wayne Wilson Mile as the first event on the program.
In a way it would have been fitting to have the first race back at Eagle Farm after 22 months being the one named in honour of the man who loved the place so much, but Heathcote was not complaining.
“I love winning races on big days,” he said. “It’s been a long haul for everyone involved and there’s a lot of people who have worked around the clock to get today to happen. It’s been a tough couple of years but the sun is shining now and we have a super race day.”
It was indeed a big day for Heathcote and Hopfgarten’s connections. Many of them also share in the ownership of $7 million earner Buffering, who was a star attraction at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
A score of adoring fans gathered around his race day stall to have their photo taken and eye off the magnificent Al Quoz Sprint Trophy silverware, as the “Buffering Bar” was officially opened at Eagle Farm.
“It was nice to show off the old boy here at his home track,” Heathcote said. “He’s travelled a lot this year and it’s nice for him to be at home. He will go out for a break now and we look forward to getting him back for another tilt on the Moir Stakes in the spring.”
Hopfgarten had originally been aimed at the Stradbroke, but when his form had not quite measured up to that level, Heathcote and connections set their sights lower to the Wayne Wilson Mile.
“His last start was very good when he had to do a power of work in the run,” jockey Damian Browne said. “Today he was able to get into a nice spot relatively easy and we got some cheap sectionals for about 600m.”
Heathcote joked Browne owed connections a good ride after his previous effort on the horse and Browne conceded his previous effort was not one of his best.
The Wayne Wilson Mile is a race named in honour of the great Queensland broadcaster, who died on Stradbroke eve two years ago.
Originally published as Country rejoices in Eagle Farm reopening, but jockeys warn new surface may cut up later
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