Qld officials defend Oaks re-programming
Queensland racing officials have defended the decision not to transfer the washed-out Oaks day program in its entirety.
Eagle Farm was submerged after a morning deluge on Saturday which made it impossible for the meeting to go ahead.
It was to have been the first at Eagle Farm for 22 months after a multi-million dollar refurbishment of the track and facilities.
The Group One Queensland Oaks and Group Two QTC Cup have been transferred to Saturday’s Stradbroke Handicap meeting while the Listed Lightning will be run at Doomben on Wednesday.
The Listed Spear Chief Stakes will be run at Eagle Farm on Tatt’s Tiara day, June 25.
The Group Two Eagle Farm Cup, Listed Phoenix Stakes and Listed Daybreak Lover Stakes have been scrapped.
The wash-out also cost the Brisbane Race Club hundreds of thousands of dollars revenue and the TAB as much as $10 million in turnover.
There were suggestions the entire Oaks meeting should have been transferred to Sunday, Monday or Wednesday.
Racing Queensland acting chief executive Sam Adams said safety had to be the No.1 priority.
“Re-programming the entire meeting to an alternate day was considered but it was deemed impractical to do so without adversely impacting existing meetings and participants,” Adams said.
Factors included jockey availability, a safe passage for the ambulance, the impact on a new track and existing off track arrangements such as catering.
Brisbane Race Club chairman Neville Bell said it was obviously disappointing to lose the meeting but the best possible outcome had been reached.
“On the positive side we now have a super ten-race program for this Saturday and it will be the perfect way to re-open Eagle Farm,” he said.