Page:1930 QLD Royal Commission into Racing Report.djvu/23

 There is, however, always present some risk of casualty inherent in the nature of the foundation, a risk not shared by other courses. It follows that any relaxation of care in inspection or in preparation of the racing track, or on the part of the stewards, is more likely to lead to accidents than on other courses. That these risks are not imaginary is shown by the fact that some owners and trainers refuse to use the course at all, while others do not race their best horses there.

Such a track as above described is unsuitable for weight for age and other long distance races. In fact, with the exception of one 1¼-mile race, the longest distance run is 1 mile and 57 yards. The heavy going is too trying for and is unsuited to two-year-olds. For short distances, however, the sand at Albion Park appears to suit some horses better than the turf at Eagle Farm.

Such suitability for racing as this course possesses is derived from the fact that the running surface is sand.

But for this sand, the track would be entirely unsuitable for racing purposes. The sand surface, while perhaps originally put down because grass would not grow on the foundations, and in order to enable the business of racing to be carried on irrespective of the weather, is necessary to give the horses a firm foothold round the turns—turns too sharp for a turf course. The fact that the track is only 6 furlongs in length, while accounting for this sharpness, emphasises the disadvantages necessarily due to an outside position at the starting barrier.

The central position of the course, combined with the absence of a second suitable grass track, has been the main factor in rendering possible its successful use for racing, despite its natural disadvantages.

At the same time, this central position and the limited area available prevent any extension of the track or any probability' of its conversion into a good racecourse.

Moreover, there is not enough room for an extension of the stands and other appointments sufficient to accommodate such numbers of patrons as even now frequently attend Eagle Farm.

In short, this racecourse and its appointments are inadequate to the needs of to-day, and the well-being of the racing public would be better served by the early substitution of a grass course of more suitable characteristics and with better appointments.

B—

(a) The Queensland Turf Club. (b) The Brisbane Amateur Turf Club. (c) Tattersall's Club.

(a) The Queensland Turf Club.

The Queensland Turf Club is a bona fide club, and is the premier racing club in the Southern Division of Queensland. Its objects embrace the holding of meetings for purposes of recreation and the improvement of the breed of horses and the formulation of rules for the conduct of racing in Southern Queensland.

The Club consists of persons of good repute duly elected by ballot of the committee after nomination by an existing member. Members pay an entrance fee of £10 and an annual subscription of £3 3s.