THE EAGLE FARM TRACK DILEMMA - IS THERE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL?

By Graham Potter | Sunday, August 4, 2024

Racing Queensland CEO Jason Scott has given an update on the current, unfortunate track standoff at Eagle Farm, where racing has basically been suspended at this time following a fall approaching the home turn on July 20.

The fall was the final straw for jockeys following their reports over many months of horses seemingly shying at a construction site positioned adjacent to the track and close to the scene of that race fall. The July 20 meeting was duly abandoned at that stage with jockeys declining to continue riding at the track then, and into the future, until the situation was addressed citing serious safety concerns.

“The jockeys and the trainers are seeing the world a little bit differently” acknowledged Scott, following reports that some trainers took exception to jockeys holding a meeting with racing authorities about this issue during trials earlier this week, even though the meeting only lasted ten minutes, a fact which highlighted the delicate state of play between racing participants over this matter.

At the conclusion of that meeting, Scott stated that he had told jockeys they needed to provide him with their requirements that needed to be fulfilled before they would make themselves available to ride at Eagle Farm again.

“The jockeys came back to me on Thursday with what they needed to be put in place,” said Scott, talking at Doomben on Saturday.

“We are working with the club (the Brisbane Racing Club) and the builders to achieve that.

“We are doing multiple things … which we need to do. We need to not only fix it, but we need to make certain everything, every aspect involved is covered … and we’ll do that.”

“To be able to ascertain timelines, I will only be able to publicise that when I know … and I’m hopeful that will be early in the week.

“As long as we meet what the jockeys need to reinstate their services, we’ll be good, so I’m hopeful that the jockeys and trainers will be working hand in glove very soon.”