One of the sad facts of modern day life in racing is the closure of race tracks and it is with considerable sadness I ponder the proposed closure of Albion Park.

Although more recently it has been a harness and greyhound racing centre, the close-to-the-city circuit, had its glory days as a tight, compact sand track for gallopers.

Affectionately known as The Creek, because of its proximity to Breakfast Creek, it was the sole venue for Brisbane racing during World War II, as Eagle Farm and Doomben were occupied by camping ground for soldiers prior to being sent overseas.

Although there are some protesters to the sale of Albion Park, it now is owned by Queensland Racing and that administration body is keen on the sale to fund other ventures.

The old Albion Park was a trail-blazer in the days before synthetic tracks were even being considered. A sand gallops track was cheap to maintain and the tight-turning course proper provided spectacular racing with an intimacy that afforded punters the ability to watch the races without the aid of binoculars.

And it was an all-weather track of staggering proportions. In addition to being subjected to torrential rain, it was also affected King tides in Breakfast Creek. On one occasion in the wake of rain and a big tide, sections of the course proper resembled a series of mini lakes.

After a brief delay the tide receded and racing proceeded uninterrupted.

After another week there had been flood rains and I was dispatched as a racing writer for the Brisbane Telegraph, a now defunct afternoon newspaper, with photographer Brian Church to inspect the damaged track.

Sections were under knee-deep water (Churchie demanded I shed my shoes and socks and wade into the water as pictorial evidence) and in other sections the entire sand surface had been washed away.

My report, with the accompany photographs, was headed: ‘Racing is impossible at Albion Park tomorrow'.

The course manager, Roy Weedon, must have decimated the sand dunes of Surfers Paradise because by Saturday fresh sand had been laid and racing went on as if nothing had happened.

During its time as a gallops track, harness racing was conducted on an 800-metre right-handed track inside the course proper.

It must have been a decent circuit because two Inter Dominions were staged there in 1972 (Welcome Advice) and 1977 (Stanley Rio).

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Modern race-goers often bemoan horses being handicapped by heavy weights.

Some of the past stars of the Creek managed to hump huge imposts with relative ease.

The great Auction won a First Division at Albion Park in course record time for 6-1/2 furlongs (1300-metres) carrying 12-stone 6-pounds which equates to the modern measure of 79kg!

Auction also won twice with 12-stone (76-kilos) and five races with more than 11-stone (70kg).

Probably the last of the crack Creekers was Red Seas and he once made apparent light work of 11-stone 2-pounds or 71kg.

By the way, Red Seas was owned and trained by Eric Railton, the father of Steve Railton, who currently is on the Hong Kong stewards panel.

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From reminiscing about the past, let's move on to the future.

Former Victorian apprentice, Brenton Avdulla, is being touted as the next star of Sydney racing.

After his perfect performance on Dances On Waves in the Villiers last Saturday, trainer Gerald Ryan was prompted to predict that Avdulla will be the next Nash Rawiller.

Even though the 19-year-old has lost his capacity to claim an allowance and he is matching his ability on equal terms with senior jockeys, he is being sought by other top trainers.

In interviews with the media, young Avdulla is lucid and likeable without any hint of an inflated ego. It is not an easy ride to reach the top in racing but he does seem to have the required qualifications to make the ascent.

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As for the Summer Cup at Randwick on Boxing Day, the top weighted Rock Kingdom actually is quite attractively handicapped. From his second to Bellagio Wynn in the Christmas Cup, Rock Kingdom now meets the same horse on 2kgs better terms.

You would think this is sufficient to reverse the placings on Sunday.

Take heed of the $157,675 BIG6 jackpot on the NSW TAB which will get the pool up to $500,000 according to the TAB. It's on the last three from Caulfield and Randwick.

Regardless of the results, may I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and hopefully the New Year will have winners galore.