Criticism resurfaces as new Eagle Farm track turns to mud

THE new Eagle Farm was the centre of attention again on Saturday as it worsened into the heavy range with less than 10mm of rain falling after the initial Soft 5 assessment in the morning.

Robbie Fradd was covered in mud after riding in the Queensland Cup. Picture: Tim Marsden

THE new Eagle Farm was the centre of attention again on Saturday as it worsened into the heavy range with less than 10mm of rain falling after the initial Soft 5 assessment in the morning.

Certainly Saturday’s surface, where the rail was back to the true position, raced more evenly than in the two previous Saturday meetings and it was a welcome sight to see Meteorologist hug the fence to win the last.

But that doesn’t disguise the fact the track deteriorated quickly, with dinner plate sized clods evident coming to the home turn.

Senior trainers Tony Gollan and Rob Heathcote have urged for patience, believing the new track simply needs time to reach its optimum.

Hopefully that’s not just wishful thinking. Jockeys have deeper concerns.

“It’s disappointing the track deteriorated as quickly as it did given the small amount of rain we had,” top jockey Damian Browne said. “If there had been much more, it would have been called off. The amount of sand coming back into your face was terrible.”

Jim Byrne was also surprised at how quickly the track became heavy, having partnered a horse on the course proper on Saturday morning.

“I don’t want to bag the track,” he said. “All of us want it to be good. We were told it would take time and accept that, but we still expected it to be better than what it is right now.”

Internationally experienced Robbie Fradd said that once horses hit the camber around the bend, horses just sink into the surface.

Given the expectations of Eagle Farm bolstering turnover on Queensland racing, the situation hardly lends itself to punters betting with confidence.

There’s no point burying heads in the sand. No stone should be left unturned in finding out if improvement of the track can be hastened.

Jeff Lloyd said it was a tough slog riding Beckham to victory on Saturday. Picture: Tim Marsden

WEIGHED DOWN: “I’m surprised I didn’t weigh-in heavy, because I swallowed so many clods during the race and that’s not counting the one between my teeth,” said Fradd after just missing the placings in the Queensland Cup on My Diamantine.

THE STING: Tony Gollan disciples would have preferred the meet to be called off after the fifth, with Salmanazar (admittedly very easy in betting), Most Important (backed into odds-on) and Annaman ($6.50 to $4.80 at one point) all rolled as favourites.

SMART MONEY: On official fluctuations, Eminent Knight looked a poor result for bookies, but both UBET and Sportsbet reported good winning results on the race, with the likes of Artibai, Collateral and Don’t Tell Mama the best backed.

WELCOME RETURN: Gold Coast trainer Marcus Wilson is among those thrilled to be back at Eagle Farm. “We were able to pinch a race at Doomben last prep, but really, Meteorologist’s a big track horse and this is what he’s been looking for,” Wilson said. “He’s not quite there yet this prep but obviously it became more like an 1800m or 2000m race and he was the best stayer.”

THE QUOTE: “It’s hard work.” Jeff Lloyd said it was a tough slog after Beckham stayed on best in the 1400m Open. “Michael (Cahill) made it a true test of stamina when he went (on Trubia). I didn’t have much left in the tank and nor did the horse.” Lloyd rode a double on Saturday to replicate Jim Byrne and hold his 2.5 win lead at the head of the premiership table. He is now rated $1.60 with Sportsbet to win the Brisbane premiership this season.

Babies have Zielke in a purple patch

IT may seem like deja vu as John Zielke heads to the winning enclosure after another two-year-old win, but the Sunshine Coast-based trainer has notched a mighty feat with the babies this season.

John Zielke has enjoyed a great season with his two-year-olds. Picture: Tim Marsden

Happy Event collected the 12th two-year-old race of the season for the stable at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Zielke’s stable numbers means he will never match motors with John O’Shea (30 two-year-old wins) or Gai Waterhouse (25) by volume of winners, but in terms of reliability, he is number one in the country this season.

From 46 juveniles to face the starter, Zielke has struck at slightly better than 26 per cent.

He just shades Perth-based Simon Miller, while record-breaker Darren Weir is sitting on 25 per cent from his 60 runners.

Zielke intends to give Happy Event a short break and she will then join Group 2-placed stablemate Dreams Aplenty on the float to Melbourne for the spring carnival.

Zielke said Happy Event’s next start would be in the Danehill Stakes in September.

Originally published as Criticism resurfaces as new Eagle Farm track turns to mud