Push to reinstate Brisbane 2YO trial day

Racing Queensland says it will work with trainers to have a designated major barrier trial day for two-year-olds reinstated.

For many years up to 30 two-year-old trials on the same day were held at Eagle Farm in the lead-up to the early-season juvenile races.

The emphasis in Queensland is now on the Magic Millions carnival in January which means the number of juveniles in work early has dropped off and the idea of a main trials day has also been shelved.

This year the trials have been so fragmented many trainers are worried the early-season two-year-old races are losing their publicity and punting appeal.

There have been two juvenile trials in Toowoomba, one on the Sunshine Coast, and two on the Gold Coast but none in Brisbane.

The secretary of the Queensland branch of the Australian Trainers Association, Cameron Partington, says it is hoped the issue can be raised at a meeting with RQ.

“We can see the benefits of a day when all two-year-olds can trial. It gives punters a chance to line up trial form and it generates publicity in what is usually a low-key time of the year,” he said.

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“I also gives trainers a better chance to educate their young horses on a big day.”

“We are actually keen to overhaul the entire trials system so we don’t have situations like Tuesday with trials in three centres and then a week later none.”

Premier trainer Tony Gollan is one of several senior trainers pushing the idea.

“I can remember when the Eagle Farm two-year-old trials were a highlight of the year,” he said.

“I used to come down with dad’s horses from Toowoomba and it gave everyone an idea where you were at.”

RQ’s Racing Manager Simon Stout said RQ would be happy to work with trainers.

One thing has been clear from the two-year-old trials run so far is first-season sire Better Than Ready has got some smart horses.

Three of his offspring have trialled and they all won.