Shorter 10,000 to stay at Doomben

Racing Queensland has confirmed changes to the Brisbane winter carnival with the Doomben 10,000 to continue at Doomben.

The Group One sprint will however be run over 1200m instead of 1350m on May 13, two weeks earlier than previously scheduled.

The original proposal had been to run the $700,000 race at Eagle Farm but a public outcry led to revision.

RQ chief executive Eliot Forbes said the new dates had been compiled after wide discussion.

“Feedback from a wide cross-section of industry stakeholders was a vital consideration in the final decision,” Forbes said.

“We clearly listened to that feedback and maintained the status quo in terms of the venue for the Doomben 10,000, though we have moved the date on which it will be run.”

The BTC Cup will now be run over 1300m on May 27 at Eagle Farm.

“Racing Queensland is keen to provide all horses with an opportunity to compete in the pivotal lead-in race over the ideal distance and at the same venue as the $1.5 million Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm on 10 June,” Forbes said.

“It is our view that we are now providing an optimal progression of race distances for the Group One races in the Doomben 10,000 at 1200-metres, the BTC Cup at 1300-metres and the Stradbroke Handicap at 1400-metres.

“Racing Queensland also believes the industry will benefit from increased wagering on these races while the Brisbane Racing Club will be able to maximise commercial opportunities over the three meetings.”

Forbes said RQ had also moved the Group Three Fred Best Classic from Doomben on May 20 to Eagle Farm a week later.

“The switch provides the perfect programming solution to the three-week gap that previously existed between the strongly performing Fred Best Classic and the Stradbroke Handicap and Queensland Guineas,” he said.

Forbes said the majority of the changes made were designed to take advantage of the state’s premier thoroughbred venue, Eagle Farm, returning to its full capacity in 2017 after extensive renovations.