BRC chairman Neville Bell says the Eagle Farm upgrade is a necessity. Photo: Steve Pohlner Source: Steve Pohlner / News Limited
THE Eagle Farm track upgrade has become a hot topic again with trainers taking aim at the programming of the entire summer carnival at Doomben.
After hosting nine meetings in 33 days up to November 27, Eagle Farm has been rested to recuperate.
Saturday's Doomben meeting, which had the first two stakes races for two-year-olds this season in Brisbane, plus another three Listed races, is traditionally run at Eagle Farm.
Doomben will race eight times in the 29 days from November 30.
Trainers have taken aim at both the Brisbane Racing Club and Racing Queensland, demanding answers as to why Eagle Farm is being rested in the middle of Brisbane's second biggest carnival of the year.
Trainer Tony Gollan was reluctant to comment, fearing it would be seen as sour grapes, but he voiced his concerns long before Saturday's meeting.
"Do the VRC rest Flemington for the autumn carnival?," Gollan said.
"It makes no sense to not have use of our No.1 track for our second most important carnival of the year."
BRC chairman Neville Bell said he sympathised with the position of trainers, but said it came back to funding being needed to upgrade the Eagle Farm course proper.
"Unfortunately the state of the Eagle Farm track (after nine meetings) meant it had to be renovated," he said.
"The reconstruction of Eagle Farm should now be the highest priority for the industry infrastructure spend.
"Eagle Farm is the biggest strategic asset for the industry and after being a loyal servant for 140 years, it's now beyond its life span."
Bell said 50-60 per cent of the wagering in this state is done on metropolitan racing.
Premier trainer Rob Heathcote said he was not interested in the politics, just getting the fix done.
"It is essential because our showpiece track needs urgent replacement," Heathcote said.
"This is a major economic contributor to this state and we need urgent government help. Everybody knows it. It's long overdue."
It is understood there are issues surrounding how much money the BRC will be granted. A figure of $10 million is needed for the track upgrade, but another $12 million for tunnels, the latter likely to come in the form of a loan to the BRC.
RQ chief executive Darren Condon said the matter is "still a very high priority for the board", but pointed out the BRC had no allocation under the original infrastructure plan.
"We have been able to restructure so Eagle Farm can be included, but it's unreasonable to suggest $110 million is going to solve all of the industry issues," Condon said.
Meanwhile, an announcement is expected in the next week on a refurbishment of the Ipswich track.
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