Tempers Running Hot Around Eagle Farm

It’s no secret that the much-vaunted return of Eagle Farm to Brisbane racing, while initially well received, is starting to regress to the days of old. Owners and trainers were again left on the backfoot last Saturday when a lot of horses appeared to struggle with a track described as comprising a shifting surface combined with a hard base. Despite wide-ranging calls for new action – some even going so far as to suggest it should be ripped up again – Queensland officials appear unmoved. According to racenet.com.au, the state body has no plans to transfer any of Eagle Farm’s meetings to appease disgruntled connections. Now, however, owners and trainers have found an ally in jockeys who have come out vocally to voice their own concerns, with Queensland Jockeys Rep Glen Prentice saying answers are needed: “Every jockey is supportive of the trainers on this issue and we back what they are saying. The main problem as far as the jockeys are concerned is the track is soft and loose on top but it is hard underneath.” He noted, “It has meant that some horses simply don’t have the confidence to let go on the track.” There have also, reportedly, been private murmurings the track could be boycotted by some trainers.