Gold Coast loses Hollindale Stakes meeting as track debacle continues

Racing Queensland has been forced to switch a key winter carnival meeting amid ongoing concerns over the state of the Gold Coast Turf Club’s (GCTC) embattled course proper.

The Hollindale Stakes fixture set down for May 11 will be transferred to the Sunshine Coast in a move that comes 48 hours after the resignation of track manager Nevesh Ramdhani.

The course proper, part of a $63 million GCTC upgrade, has been plagued with issues since it reopened before the Magic Millions carnival in January.

It has been closed for racing since attracting widespread criticism over its condition during a feature meeting in March.

Six horses galloped on the course proper on Friday before a decision was made to move the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes card, which also includes five other black-type races, to the Sunshine Coast.

Racing Queensland chief executive Jason Scott said rain and humidity had affected planned drainage and sand grooving works since the Gold Coast track was reopened.

“The decision to transfer the Hollindale Stakes from the Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast is in the best interests of the course proper for the long term,” he said.

“Whilst we had every intention of returning the Hollindale to the Gold Coast this year, the climatic conditions have conspired against us.

“At the same time, it’s important that we provide certainty to our participants who can now target their horses towards the Sunshine Coast.”

The decision also puts the Gold Coast’s historic night meeting in extreme doubt.

The GCTC is scheduled to hold its first meeting under lights on May 24.

Ramdhani resigns as Gold Coast track manager, replaces Ross at Australian Turf Club

The Australian Turf Club has appointed former racecourse general manager Nevesh Ramdhani as head of its racing and wagering division.

The StraightWarwick Barr

“We will reassess the course proper in a fortnight’s time … but given the significant investment that has been made on the course proper redevelopment, we will continue to do what is best for it in the long term,” GCTC chief executive Steve Lines said.

Ramdhani quit his GCTC role on Wednesday, less than two years after his appointment to oversee the racetrack redevelopment.

Having spent over a decade in a racecourse managerial role in Sydney, Ramdhani will return to the Australian Turf Club as head of racing and wagering.