Monteith Report puts Eagle Farm rejuvenation back on track

Racing Minister Grace Grace has accepted an independent report outlining a remediation plan for the Eagle Farm track, targeting a return to racing by April 2018.

Racing Queensland commissioned the report from former Victoria Racing Club CEO Dale Monteith following a direction from Ms Grace to take all necessary steps to ensure Eagle Farm is returned to a fit state for racing.

“Eagle Farm hasn’t performed to expectations following a track rejuvenation project approved in 2014,” Ms Grace said.

“We can’t afford to waste time with finger-pointing and blame-shifting - my absolute priority is to ensure the track is operating at its optimum level.

“Dale Monteith’s thorough and exhaustive report sets out a clear path to remediating the track, and Racing Queensland and the Brisbane Racing Club have reached in-principle agreement to implement his recommendations.

“I’d like to thank Dale Monteith for his professionalism and I look forward to seeing remediation works get underway, once tenders have been issued.”
 
After assessing the track design, construction and maintenance of Eagle Farm, Mr Monteith said several factors contributed to the track’s performance:

• The sand and grass chosen
• Maintenance programs during and after track construction
• Weather events at critical maintenance times
• The racing program in the first 12 months
• The budget available for the project

The Monteith Report includes expert advice from Sports Turf Consultants, and recommends the total removal of the existing grass and thatch layer and re-blending the profile to include angular sand types to improve stability.

It also recommends laying couch grass and a graduated return to a racing for the first year of racing and thereafter, depending upon track performance.

“The Monteith Report has been peer reviewed by soil scientist Dr Mick Battam, who has concurred with Mr Monteith’s recommendations,” Ms Grace said.

“This represents a clear way forward to restoring Eagle Farm to its leading role in the Queensland racing industry.

“I want to thank racegoers and industry participants for their patience, and assure them that racing will return to Eagle Farm as soon as possible.”

Racing Queensland CEO Dr Eliot Forbes said: “This report has taken into account all the circumstances and feedback on the track design, construction and maintenance. I would like to thank Mr Monteith for his diligent work and all stakeholders who have provided information for the review.”

BRC Chairman Neville Bell said: “We welcome the review of the track. We look forward to working with Racing Queensland to ensure Eagle Farm is ready for the 2018 Brisbane Racing Carnival. Over more than a century, Eagle Farm has proven to be very popular with punters and we want to ensure that history stretches over many more years.”

The remediation works, expected to cost between $1-$1.5 million, will be funded through Racing Queensland’s Racing Infrastructure Fund.

To view the Monteith Report, go to http://www.racingqueensland.com.au/

Media contact: Martin Philip 0427 919 548