Top trainer says last-minute change to Toowoomba Weetwood distance deemed ... - Courier Mail

Trainer Tony Gollan says the distance adjustment to the Weetwood Handicap was made too late. Picture: Mark Cranitch. Source: News Limited

RACING Queensland has come under fire for an embarrassing backflip to change the distance of this year’s Toowoomba Weetwood, just three weeks out from the race.

The change from 1300m to 1200m allows for 14 runners instead of 12 and RQ chief executive Darren Condon said the shorter distance provides a better lead-in to the carnival.

But premiership front runner Tony Gollan said the change was made far too late.

“I had to ring an owner and tell him the race we’ve been setting his horse for over the past three months is no longer an option,” Gollan said.

“Do they think trainers just work from week to week? A lot of planning goes into a preparation and for them to come out and change the distance of a feature race only three weeks out is unprofessional.

“This should have been picked up months ago, but changing it now gives us nowhere to move.

“I will still hopefully have a couple of nice chances in the race. But they would have had different preparations had I known it was going to revert back to 1200m.”

The Weetwood was traditionally run over 1300m, but reverted to 1200m after the first running on the cushion track.

Toowoomba Turf Club officials were initially surprised the switch had been made back to 1300m this year.

Condon conceded the timing of the change was not ideal, but insisted it was the best decision for the overall carnival and quality of the $150,000 Weetwood.