Eagle Farm gets unexpected Super Saturday after Queensland Derby Day washout
Eagle Farm will host a 10-card Super Saturday of racing next weekend, with a bumper three Group 1s to be staged following the abandonment of four races on Queensland Derby Day on Saturday.
Jockeys complained of poor visibility at Eagle Farm after persistent heavy rain during the day, forcing officials to abandon the Derby meeting after five races on Saturday on another wet day in Brisbane.
• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
The jockeys met after the running of the Group 2 BRC Sires' Produce (1400m), won by Cool Archie on a Heavy 10 track, before voicing their concerns about visibility in the awful conditions at Eagle Farm.
It means Group 1 races the Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) and the Queensland Derby (2400m) will be rescheduled to next Saturday at Eagle Farm, with the Queensland Oaks (2200m) for 3YO fillies to be run as per normal on that day.
The Fred Best Classic, which offers the winning three-year-old a golden ticket into the Stradbroke Handicap in two weeks, will now be staged on Wednesday on Doomben.
• Munce colt Cool in crisis to take out Sires' Produce
However, the Group 3 Fred Best will now be run over the shorter distance of 1350m instead of 1400m.
The winning trainer of the Fred Best will need as much time as possible to prepare their horse for the Group 1 Stradbroke (1400m) on June 14.
Just five of the nine races on Saturday were contested before RQ officials decided to abandon the key winter carnival meeting after the jockeys voiced their concerns about the poor visibility on the track.
'We work with the riding group and obviously the rider and horse welfare is the No.1 priority when it comes to these issues,' Racing Queensland chief steward Josh Adams said.
'We felt the track was safe but it was the visibility and the kickback which ultimately resulted in the remainder of the card being cancelled.
'Hopefully the rain goes away and we can run the rescheduled races under fine conditions next week.'
Martin Harley after riding Cool Archie to victory. Picture: Trackside Photography
• Kiwi import at home on heavy track in dominant Eagle Farm win
To accommodate the three rescheduled races from Derby Day, a Benchmark 90 Handicap and Class 6 Handicap due to be contested at Eagle Farm next Saturday will be shifted to the Sunshine Coast next Sunday.
All scratchings will be reinstated for the rescheduled races.
Brisbane Racing Club will honour all general admission tickets from Saturday for the Eagle Farm meeting on next weekend.
Weather in Brisbane should fine up from Tuesday and little rain is predicted from then onwards for the rest of the week.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Courier-Mail
25 minutes ago
- Courier-Mail
Winx's 2025 stallion revealed by owner Peter Tighe
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Mighty mare Winx will visit Darley's champion sire Too Darn Hot in the coming spring breeding season. Winx's ownership group of Peter Tighe, Debbie Kepitis and Elizabeth Treweeke made the much-anticipated announcement on Monday night, ending weeks of speculation about their legendary mare's next mating. 'We are thrilled to announce Too Darn Hot as the stallion of choice for Winx this season,'' said Peter Tighe on behalf of Winx's owners. 'His pedigree, performance and the early success of his progeny align with our long-term vision for Winx's breeding legacy. 'We believe this pairing has the potential to produce something very special.'' • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Hall of Fame champion Winx, winner of 37 of her 43 starts including her final 33 races in succession highlighted by a world record 25 Group 1 winners, has produced two foals to date – a filly by Pierro that is now a two-year-old named Quinceanera and a colt by Snitzel that will be a yearling next season. Too Darn Hot, a dual hemisphere shuttle stallion, is already the sire of four-time Group 1 winner Broadsiding and multiple stakes winners in his first two Australian crops to race. Winx's ownership group also noted in their press release that Too Darn Hot, a multiple Group 1-winning son of the great Dubawi, has 'quickly established himself as one of Europe's most exciting young stallions.'' 'His progeny has demonstrated early precocity, exceptional athleticism and outstanding temperament – qualities that strongly complement Winx's remarkable racing attributes and pedigree,'' the owners wrote. • 'A bit of a freak': Wootton Bassett's incredible run continues Too Darn Hot's service fee of $275,000 this spring breeding season reflects the demand for the stallion who stands at Darley Kelvinside in the Hunter Valley. Quinceanera, the first foal out of all-time great Winx, created headlines around the racing world when Debbie Kepitis, a part-owner of Winx, went to $10 million – a world record for a yearling filly – to buy back the filly at the Inglis Easter Sale last year. Trainer Chris Waller has Quinceanera in light work at his Rosehill stables but the trainer said the two-year-old would not be rushed to the races over the winter months. 'She's progressing well but she won't be racing as a two-year-old,'' Waller said last week. 'It's unlikely she will even get to a barrier trial this season. Maybe by early August she could get to a trial.'' Tighe said no decision has been made whether Winx's colt by Snitzel will be sold as a yearling next season. Originally published as Champion mare Winx to visit Darley sire Too Darn Hot in spring breeding season
News.com.au
29 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Secret Matildas star Sam Kerr was keeping from everyone revealed
Sam Kerr had been trying to keep it under wraps, but the Matildas skipper's big secret has been uncovered. The 31-year-old has suffered a setback on her road to recovery from an ACL injury and has undergone more surgery. While it's believed the latest under the knife operation wasn't related to the torn ACL, the news means football fans will have to wait longer to see her return to the pitch. On Monday the Matildas unveiled their new coach, Joe Montemurro, following an extensive search after Tony Gustavsson stepped down. During his introductory press conference however, Montemurro lifted the lid on Kerr's setback but kept his cards close to the chest on the actual issue. 'Look, I think there was some complications and I've only caught up with the scenario in the last 24 hours,' he told 10 News. 'There was a subsequent intervention, but I do believe she is now back running. 'I think it was something completely different (to the existing knee injury). I think the knee is fine. 'I think there was some other issues, but again I've only been briefed in the last 24 hours.' The news comes after Kerr was spotted in the stands attending the women's A-League Grand Final in May. The Matildas captain opted to watch the contest at AAMI Park in Melbourne alongside the Matildas' chief physiotherapist, instead of supporting her club side Chelsea as they lifted the FA Cup. While her decision raised eyebrows among fans, Montemurro's revelation could explain why Kerr was back in Australia. Montemurro said being appointed Matildas coach – at least until the 2028 Olympics – was the 'honour of a lifetime', but leaving French outfit Lyon, one of the world's most prominent clubs in women's football, after just one season was 'difficult'. 'Lyon's an amazing club. I had an amazing season there, and obviously the situation was to continue the process, but I assessed a few things,' he said. 'I said to myself, and my wife and family, that this is now an exciting cycle for the Matildas, (with) the Asian Cup, (the 2027) World Cup, (the 2028) Olympic Games, and the opportunity was too good, plus there was something inside of me that was just telling me 'it's time'. 'I had to make a hard decision, a very difficult decision, but I believe the decision is the right one. 'This team means so much to so many Australians, and I'm humbled by the opportunity to help shape its next chapter.'
7NEWS
31 minutes ago
- 7NEWS
Amy Sayer caps fairytale return after 549 days as Matildas thump Argentina
Amy Sayer scored a double in her first Matildas start in 549 days to send off coach Tom Sermanni in winning style against Argentina. Making a long-awaited return to the starting line-up from a devastating ACL injury, the 23-year-old struck twice in the first half to secure a 4-1 win in front of a record 25,125 crowd at GIO Stadium in Canberra on Monday night. The Matildas dominated possession and scoring opportunities, as the midfield pairing of Kyra Cooney-Cross and Clare Wheeler outclassed their South American opponents. But some nervy moments at the back between Steph Catley and Natasha Prior gave the tourists a sniff, with the dangerous Kishi Nunez a persistent threat. Regardless, their sixth-straight victory on home soil is a happy parting gift to interim coach Sermanni in his final game in charge of the national side before being replaced by former Lyon boss Joe Montemurro, who was at the game. Australia were buoyed by the return of captain Catley and Arsenal teammates Caitlin Foord and Cooney-Cross to the starting XI. The trio were rested for Friday's 2-0 win over Argentina following their Women's Champions League triumph. Sayer opened the scoring in the 14th minute, popping up at the far post to ram home a deflected volley into the far corner after a searching Kahli Johnson cross evaded a sea of players. Argentina struggled to play through the Matildas' high press and failed to exert any real pressure when the home side had the ball. But a seemingly innocuous through-ball left Prior all at sea and after misjudging an interception left the door open for Nunez to steal in behind unchecked. The diminutive No.9 settled herself, opened herself up and with her right foot curled the ball past a diving Teagan Micah inside the far post, ending a streak of four clean sheets for the Matildas at home. But the home side wouldn't lay down their lead for long. Foord menaced the visitors all night, constantly harrying the Argentinian defenders in possession and threatening to win the ball high up field. After nicking the ball near the halfway line, the 30-year-old drove into the Argentinian half before releasing Sayer in behind a retreating opposition defence. From an unfriendly angle, Sayer picked out the far corner past the outstretched gloves of goalkeeper Solana Pereyra. As the Argentinians tired in the second half, the chances came thick and fast for the Matildas. Sayer nearly sealed a hat-trick in the 54th after being sent through by Catley but sprayed her shot from the right high and wide. Holly McNamara nearly scored her first Matildas goal in the 57th minute but the prolific Melbourne City forward's volley from eight yards out was smartly stopped by a well-positioned Pereyra. Hometown hero Michelle Heyman, subbed on for Sayer, nearly sent the Canberra crowd into raptures in the 66th minute but was denied by Pereyra with two smart back-to-back saves. She almost scored again when sent one-on-one with the goalkeeper six minutes later but Pereyra poked the ball away from Heyman's feet, only for it to be turned in by Emily van Egmond. Heyman finally got her goal in the 83rd minute after Foord again pressured the Argentinian defence into a mistake on the edge of their box, with the veteran squeezing the ball in off a defender from a tight angle. Debutant Isabel Gomez also managed to get a run late on but failed to make much of an impression with her limited time. An early concern for Montemurro will be the fitness of youngster Kahli Johnson, who limped from the field late in the first half.
