MICK Goodie, brought in earlier this year by Racing Queensland to help with the Eagle Farm course-proper renovation, has no doubts the new track will, in time, do the job required of it.

In a revealing Radio TAB interview with Steve Hewlett last week, the former Flemington course manager said the biggest issue to get right is the sand profile, which requires a lot of attention and money.

“Sand profile is tricky if you don’t know them. They are expensive. That’s an issue everyone has to get their head around,” he said.

“It’s about having the money to do it. The money’s not a problem. That’s been sorted.

“They are hungry (with regards to fertiliser needs). What happens in sand, a lot of people want to put liquids on them. Sand needs a slow release fertiliser.”

Goodie said he hadn’t given consideration yet as to when the track might be ready.

“It will tell me,” he said.

“I understand the negativity. Just have some faith. It will get there.

“Once this gets up and running, this track will race Good (4) at its worse, most of its life. It will be similar to Flemington. It will drain well. It will always be in good nick.

“We’re starting to treat it like a racecourse. Not a bowling green. Sometimes you have to be brutal to be kind.

“When you do any renovation, you need to go really hard at them. Strip it right back. Virtually back to baldness.

“After you have two or three brutal renovations, your track will start to toughen right up. That will probably happen in about February.

“Even when it comes back it will have bad days, but the more oxygen and build-up of fertiliser in the thatch and profile, the better it will get.”

SPORTING CHANCE
A LEGAL battle is brewing over CrownBet’s move to resuscitate the Sportingbet brand in Australia.

Rival corporate Sportsbet, the Paddy Power-owned market leader in Australia, has sought an injunction precluding CrownBet from using the Sportingbet name on the grounds it is too similar.

With Crown having relinquished its holdings in CrownBet, the betting company needs a new name. It recently acquired William Hill’s Australian business, which comprised the former iconic brands Centrebet and Sportingbet.

MONDAY MAIL WITH NATHAN EXELBY

GOLDEN ROSE
September 22
$6.50 The Autumn Sun

$8.50 Estijaab, Oohood

$12 Zousain

$14 El Dorado Dreaming

$15 Outrageous, Seabrook, Sunlight, Written By

$21+ Others

Odds: Ladbrokes

THIS WEEK
Tuesday: Port Macquarie, Wyong, Geelong (synthetic)

Wednesday: Doomben, Canterbury, Moonee Valley, Gawler, Belmont

Thursday: Townsville, Kembla Grange, Pakenham (synthetic), Pinjarra

Friday: Ipswich, Moruya, Tamworth, Geelong (synthetic)

Saturday: Sunshine Coast, Rosehill, Caulfield, Morphettville, Belmont, Gold Coast, Mackay, Alpha, Laura, Mount Isa, Newcastle, Casterton, Darwin

Sunday: Toowoomba, Mudgee, Taree, Sale, Naracoorte, Kalgoorlie, Port Hedland, Devonport (synthetic)

THE QUOTE
“The phone won’t be turned off, don’t worry.”
— Co-trainer Adrian Bott is ready and waiting for anybody who wants to open an Everest slot up for Tiara winner Prompt Response.

THE TALKING POINT
Battle of the Bush Final. The concept was embraced by country connections from the outset and the 16 heats built momentum for Saturday’s final. A number of events through the week also added to the hype around the race and Brett Moody delivered a fitting call as Mason’s Chance got the better of Bush Caviar. A lot of country trainers are probably already on the hunt for next year’s winner.

THE RIDE
Michael Cahill has enjoyed a good back end to the carnival and landed his Doomben double from opposite ends of the field. Rated The Bostonian superbly in taking his time to cross the field, then produced Spright with a perfectly timed run to win the Healy.

THREE TO BACK
Red Stina, Doomben, Race 1: Tidy effort resuming. Should appreciate further.

Foxy Housewife, Doomben, Race 4: Alley cruelled her chances here. She’s flying this time around.

Tumbler, Doomben, Race 9: Ramornie bound? Tough watch for her supporters on this occasion.

RISK
Our Beebee, Doomben, Race 4: Looked well placed, but punters didn’t fancy her and they got it right. Racing pattern is making it hard for her.

THE FLOP
Champagne Cuddles failed to fire in the Tiara in the first unplaced run of her career. Punters were cool on her chances, letting her slide to $6 as support rolled in for the winner.

SHARP SHOOTERS
Tradesman was on the nose in the Tatt’s Cup and punters lined up Matt Dunn’s Divine Unicorn, backing him from $6.50 to $4.40 and supporters were rewarded with a perfect ride and big win.