Racing Queensland has released its updated thoroughbred race dates calendar for the 2015/16 racing season, factoring in the anticipated return to racing at Eagle Farm and Townsville Turf Club.

Racing Operations Thoroughbred Manager Ross Gove said clubs had been consulted extensively in relation to the amendments and the release of the changes would provide certainty for the industry heading into the remainder of the season.

“The development of the revised calendar should allow participants to plan their racing programs for the early part of the new season and into the New Year,” Mr Gove said.

“The key objective of the calendar is to balance track availability with the best outcomes for participants.

“There is no doubt however that some of Queensland’s major tracks have had to shoulder a significant burden during the Eagle Farm outage hence the amendments we have made to the calendar will hopefully go some way to protecting those tracks in the short-term and give them a reprieve from the arduous schedules they have endured over recent times.

“Following the State Government’s sign-off on phase two of the Eagle Farm project, we now very much look forward to the eventual return to the state’s principle racing venue and following that, a period of consolidation in the racing schedule.”

Mr Gove thanked clubs for their co-operation with the date changes which have seen some significant sacrifices made in the best interests of the wider industry.