Racing Queensland, in conjunction with the Brisbane Racing Club (BRC), has confirmed the Saturday Metropolitan thoroughbred meeting scheduled for 22 December 2018 will be transferred from Doomben to Eagle Farm.
The change in venue follows successful barrier trials and jump-outs held at Eagle Farm on Tuesday morning.
Racing Queensland CEO Brendan Parnell said the return to Eagle Farm could only happen with the support of industry stakeholders and the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) Stewards.
“The feedback from participants following last week’s gallops and today’s barrier trials has been positive,” Mr Parnell said.
“Eagle Farm is the traditional home of thoroughbred racing in Queensland and I would like to thank all stakeholders for their patience while we’ve worked with the BRC to deliver a return to racing there. Racing Queensland and the BRC will now work to make the appropriate amendments to the racing calendar to accommodate the transfer.”
BRC Chairman Neville Bell said he was delighted with feedback from today’s trials and was looking forward to the return to Eagle Farm.
“This track is Queensland’s home of racing so we’re excited about returning here after such good reports on the surface. We’re 11 days away from racing at Eagle Farm again and we’re in the midst of a very strong Summer Carnival. It’s an exciting time,” Mr Bell said.
Two official barrier trials were conducted from the 1000m chute to the winning post, followed by two 800m jump-outs from the 1600m chute to test the back section of the course.
Racing Queensland senior track specialist Mick Goodie said the track performed very well across all sections.
“The track has received 60mm of irrigation since last Friday, including 10mm last night and 20mm on Sunday night, and had a nice cushion of grass. The back straight performed just as well as the home straight and will continue to improve heading towards 22 December,” Mr Goodie said.
The next meeting at Eagle Farm is scheduled for 19 January 2019 with Mr Goodie and the BRC track staff to assess the track’s recovery following the meeting on 22 December. Racing Queensland and the BRC will communicate programming changes including distances and race day operations to industry later today.