Eagle Farm races have been delayed after police were called to deal with a hoax bomb threat.
As jockeys and horses prepared for the third race of the meet, the stewards announced that police had stopped racing as they dealt with the threat.
An update on the delay @BrisRacingClub from @bernadetecooper and @michaelmaxworth @RaceQLD pic.twitter.com/lF2DcEuSYX
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 23, 2020
Stewards confirm a bomb threat at Eagle Farm has stopped the meeting, police on site now
— Ben Dorries (@bendorries76) May 23, 2020
At Eagle Farm the meeting on hold with the Brisbane Racing Club receiving a bomb threat and police are inspecting the on course facilities.
— Andrew Bensley (@AndrewBensley) May 23, 2020
“I understand there has been a bomb threat made if the racing continues here at Eagle Farm today,” racing journalist Nathan Exelby said on Channel 7's racing coverage.
“Police are investigating that situation and the meeting will not proceed until such time as police are comfortable it is safe to proceed if it does proceed.
“There is a chance the meeting will not go ahead. Jockeys have been told to expect a delay of 30 minutes or longer.”
Whilst crowds aren’t allowed to attend race days as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, the Eagle Farm track has an apartment block on it which is full of residents.
The Brisbane Racing Club released a statement shortly afterwards, confirming that the incident was being investigated by police
"Stewards have temporarily delayed today’s Eagle Farm races due to a police matter," they said in a statement.
"We will await more information from stewards and police before the meeting resumes.
"All people on course are well. We expect to be underway again shortly."
An update on the delay @BrisRacingClub from @bernadetecooper and @michaelmaxworth @RaceQLD pic.twitter.com/lF2DcEuSYX
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 23, 2020
After a brief inspection, the threat was labelled a hoax and the meet was cleared to continue.
Police inspected for a bomb threat at Eagle Farm but have deemed safe for the meeting to go ahead.
— Andrew Bensley (@AndrewBensley) May 23, 2020
Horses about to come into mounting yard for race 3.
EF UPDATE: Today’s race meet at Eagle Farm to resume, amended race times to come
— Brisbane Racing Club (@BrisRacingClub) May 23, 2020
More to come
