Weather Forces Early End to Eagle Farm Meeting After Race 5
Brisbane, May 31, 2025 — The Queensland winter racing carnival was dealt a significant blow on Saturday as the Eagle Farm meeting was abandoned after Race 5 due to unsafe track conditions brought on by persistent rainfall.
Joliestar was favourite for the 2025 Kingsford Smith Cup before racing at Eagle Farm was called off on Saturday. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
The decision came as a major disappointment to racing fans and connections, particularly with marquee Group 1 events like the Kingsford Smith Cup and Ladbrokes Queensland Derby still to be run. Joliestar, the Newmarket Handicap-winning mare from the Chris Waller stable, was the pre-race favourite for the Kingsford Smith Cup before the meeting was called off.
Track Deemed Unsafe After Jockey Concerns
Racing Queensland stewards made the call to abandon the remainder of the card following Race 5, after multiple jockeys raised concerns about the deteriorating surface, particularly around the home turn and back straight.
“The safety of our participants is paramount,” said Chief Steward Allan Reardon. “After consulting with jockeys and conducting a thorough inspection, we determined that the surface had deteriorated to a point where continuing would pose an unacceptable risk.”
Eagle Farm’s Ongoing Battle with Weather
Saturday’s abandonment adds to a growing list of weather-related disruptions at Eagle Farm in recent years. Despite significant investment in track upgrades and drainage systems, the surface continues to struggle under sustained rainfall — a recurring issue during Brisbane’s winter carnival.
Over 40mm of rain fell in the 24 hours leading up to the meeting. The track was rated a Soft 6 at the start of the day, but conditions quickly worsened, with the surface downgraded to a Heavy 10 by Race 5.
Impact on the Carnival and Bettors
The cancellation of Races 6 through 9 has disrupted key lead-up events to the $3 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m), scheduled for June 14. Racing Queensland is expected to announce whether the abandoned races will be rescheduled or transferred to alternate venues such as Doomben or the Sunshine Coast.
For punters, all bets placed on the abandoned races will be refunded in line with standard wagering rules. Major bookmakers have already begun processing refunds.
Racing Highlights Before the Washout
Despite the early finish, the day wasn’t without standout performances. The feature race that did go ahead, the Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), saw Cool Archie, a colt by Spirit Of Boom trained by Chris & Corey Munce, storm home for a 2.84-length victory on the now Heavy-rated track.
Full results and race replays from the completed events are available on the Racing Queensland website.
What Was Lost: Abandoned Races
The following races were abandoned:
- Race 6 – Group 3 $300,000 Fred Best Classic (1400m)
- Race 7 – Group 1 $1 million Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m)
- Race 8 – Group 1 $1 million Ladbrokes Queensland Derby (2400m)
- Race 9 – Listed $160,000 Helen Coughlan Stakes (1200m)
The loss of these key races, especially the Kingsford Smith Cup and Queensland Derby, is a major setback for connections targeting the Stradbroke and other Group 1 features.
Looking Ahead
With the Stradbroke Handicap just two weeks away, all eyes are now on the weather forecast and the condition of Eagle Farm. Racing Queensland has not ruled out relocating upcoming meetings if the track does not recover in time.
Participants and fans are advised to stay tuned to official channels for updates on rescheduling, venue changes, and further inspections.
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