Racing Queensland Archives

Racing Queensland Cancels Events as Cyclone Alfred Threatens Ascot

As Tropical Cyclone Alfred approaches, Racing Queensland has implemented safety measures to protect horses, greyhounds, and industry participants, as well as cancelled multiple racing events across the state, including Ascot. With severe weather expected, contingency plans are in place to ensure animal welfare and minimise disruptions to the racing calendar.

Racing Disruptions Across Queensland

Racing Queensland (RQ) has announced the abandonment of multiple racing events due to Cyclone Alfred’s expected severe weather conditions. Wednesday’s meeting at Sunshine Coast Turf Club has been cancelled, with RQ considering alternative racing opportunities to compensate for the lost event.

Harness racing has been heavily impacted, with all Queensland harness meetings abandoned until Monday, 10 March. Meanwhile, greyhound racing at Albion Park has been suspended until Sunday, 9 March, allowing the Queensland Greyhound Racing Club time to implement flood mitigation measures.

Industry-Wide Chaos as Cyclone Approaches

The effects of Cyclone Alfred extend beyond Queensland, with Racing NSW cancelling Thursday’s Grafton meeting as a precaution. Authorities also closely monitor the situation for scheduled meetings at Ballina on 8 March and Coffs Harbour on 10 March.

The 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale was postponed. Initially set for earlier in the month, the auction will now occur on 24-25 March to ensure a safe environment for all participants and horses.

Protecting Horses and Greyhounds During Extreme Weather

With Cyclone Alfred threatening severe weather conditions, Racing Queensland and the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) have issued crucial safety guidelines for horse and greyhound owners.

Emergency Evacuation Planning

Owners are urged to prepare an evacuation plan, ensuring a safe relocation for their animals if an evacuation order is issued or if their stabling or kennels become unsafe. Consider relocating animals if their facilities are:

Prone to flooding
Exposed to high winds
At risk of flying debris
Inaccessible after extreme weather

Essential Emergency Kit

Prepare a well-equipped emergency kit containing:

Wire cutters
Rope
Halter and lead
First aid supplies

Pre-Storm Preparations

Before the cyclone makes landfall, inspect paddocks and kennels for hazards such as:

Damaged fences that could allow animals to escape
Sharp objects that could cause injuries
Potential projectiles that may become airborne in strong winds
Power lines, as fallen cables pose electrocution risks

To ensure safety, horses should not be left in paddocks with power lines. All animals must have access to at least a week’s worth of clean food and water. Due to potential power outages, automatic watering systems should not be relied upon.

Ascot racing disruptions — *Photo Credit: Pexels*

Post-Storm Safety Measures

After the cyclone passes, carefully inspect all areas for potential dangers, including:

Sharp objects or debris that may harm animals
Hazardous materials displaced by strong winds
Fallen power lines, which should always be assumed live and reported to authorities
Contaminated water sources that may pose health risks

Reporting Animal Welfare Concerns

Owners concerned about the welfare of their racing animals during extreme weather are encouraged to contact QRIC stewards for assistance and guidance.

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Uncertain Future for Racing Schedules

RQ has stated that further updates regarding race meetings scheduled from 6 March to 9 March will be issued as conditions develop. The governing body remains committed to prioritising safety while seeking to minimise disruptions to the racing calendar.

Published 5-Mar-2025

Eagle Farm Track Looking Good for Upcoming Group 1 Race

With just a few weeks to go before the Group 1 meetings, Racing Queensland CEO Brendan Parnell has pronounced the Eagle Farm track to be in great shape and in its healthiest state, with the surface ryegrass growing strong for the winter after disease got the best of its roots, affecting its length and strength in 2020.

Months before the major races, debates about the cushion, surface, and general state of the Eagle Farm track became a worrying concern among the jockeys and trainers as their horses’ performance could be held back by a bad surface.

Some trainers also refused to let their horses run on a hard and uncushioned surface because it could be detrimental to the animal’s physical health and welfare.

Mr Purnells said that they wouldn’t usually do a renovation of the tracks in time for a big carnival but they had to stop the roots disease from spreading.

Now, a thick grass has been visible on the Eagle Farm track with some racing pundits, who watched Derby Day at the end of May 2021, saying that it’s looking pretty good.

Racing Queensland undertook the last significant renovation of the Eagle Farm track in 2014 by ripping and replacing all of its surfaces. However, when it reopened in 2016, a number of issues sprung with the new tracks with stakeholders saying that the problems have persisted in the last five years because of the track’s mismanagement.

The CEO also said that they have been continuously coordinating with the Brisbane Racing Club on how to improve the Eagle Farm track.

Eagle Farm Racecourse Set To Reopen This Summer

Following their efforts in restoring the tracks, Eagle Farm Racecourse is getting ready to reopen the tracks for races before Christmas.

Eagle Farm Racecourse has been mostly out of operation over the past four years due to problems with the re-laying of the track surface. Once the track refurbishments are complete, BRC plans to have 35 race meetings per year, rather than the usual 50, until the newly laid track is tough enough.

The Eagle Farm Racecourse is expected to be fully restored in three years’ time. Until then, the new tracks will be given time to rest in between race meetings.

Photo credit: Brisbane Racing Club/Facebook

Brisbane Racing Club (BRC) General Manager Racing Matt Rudolph recognised the importance of monitoring the recovery of Eagle Farm once the racing starts again.

“A big focus of this track will be its recovery so we can ascertain early how many races and meetings we can run here,” Mr Rudolph said.

“For next year’s Brisbane Racing Carnival, we’ll be looking at running the Kingsford Smith Cup meeting at Eagle Farm with a two-week break then into the Stradbroke meeting. That will ensure the track is at its best for our premier meeting.”

Mr Rudolph also mentioned how the tracks can benefit from rest. He said that Doomben racecourse races superbly after a quick renovation.

Mounting yard in use pre-race at Doomben. Photo credit: kgbo/Wikimedia Commons

Racing Queensland consultant Mick Goodie is the one overseeing the refurbishment of the tracks. He is optimistic about the track’s current progress.

“The track is improving by the day. It has improved immensely in the last few weeks,” Mr Goodie said.

He also said that he is happy with the results of the restoration. He is making sure that the track will be excellent to race on and that “they race consistently and they race fairly”. So far, he is happy with the results of the restoration.

“Everything we are doing here is about getting a good racing surface for a long period of time.”