Punters lose gamble as big wet delays $14.5 Magic Millions race day

The Gold Coast’s Magic Millions carnival will roll on into another week after torrential rain forced the postponement of the $14.5m showpiece race day on Saturday.

Umbrellas were a necessary part of all outfits as the Magic Millions race day was interrupted by heavy rain. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The Gold Coast’s Magic Millions carnival will roll on into another week after torrential rain forced the postponement of the $14.5m showpiece race day on Saturday.

Having conjured a miracle to save the meeting after a mysterious and devastating racetrack poisoning, organisers of Queensland’s richest and most prestigious thoroughbred carnival looked like they’d pulled another rabbit out of the hat when thousands of race fans arrived in sunshine.

But after three races, the heavens opened and officials opted to postpone the rest of the 10-race program to a twilight meeting at the Gold Coast Turf Club on Friday night.

Punters splash their way around the track at the Gold Coast Turf Club. Picture: Richard Walker

While some spectators left the course, many stayed to party on to performances by Irish superstar Ronan Keating and Aussie rock legend Jimmy Barnes.

Disappointed at yet another blow for the carnival, Magic Millions co-owners Gerry Harvey and Katie Page were still upbeat as they addressed the VIP-studded crowd in the main marquee before Keating came on stage.

Guests included Premier David Crisafulli, his predecessor Annastacia Palaszczuk, star swimmer Ariarne Titmus, Kate Waterhouse, Laura Dundovic and the Queensland Governor Jeannette Young.

“Good news – it’s on (again) on Friday … under lights, on the Gold Coast,” Mr Harvey declared.

Gerry Harvey and Katie Page with Magic Millions ambassadors Zara and Mike Tindall. Picture: Richard Walker

Ms Page said: “We know that this is such a special day for everyone. We’ve had a bit of rain, we’ve had a bit of a problem but there’s nothing to worry about because we put on a great party.”

Magic Millions ambassador and British royal Zara Tindall, said she was “so sorry” for Ms Page, who had worked “over and above” to save the race day after the track poisoning.

“I don’t know how you do it, but you’ve had the most unfortunate week and you’ve made it amazing,” she told Ms Page.

Her fellow Magic Millions ambassador, NRL legend and Maroons coach Billy Slater, said it was unfortunate that the meeting had to be called off.

But he said he was excited that another twilight meeting would be held after last weekend’s first-ever Magic Millions night race event was transferred to the Sunshine Coast following the track poisoning.

“Katie and Gerry put so much into not just this day but the whole week and they’ve already had to overcome some hurdles to get here,” he said.

“It’s going to be exciting to have another crack at a twilight meeting on Friday night.”

The horse might have gone off track but the entertainment, feature Australian music legend Jimmy Barnes, continued. Picture: Luke Marsden.

Racing officials made the tough decision on Saturday afternoon to call off the meeting, which had been indefinitely delayed following three races.

Chief steward Josh Adams said it was decided to transfer the rest of the meeting to Friday night after a track inspection. “There’s serious water throughout the track,” he said.

Mr Adams said jockey safety was paramount. “We don’t like to cancel any type of race meeting but we need to make sure that the jockeys and horses are safe,” he said.

Racing Queensland CEO Jason Scott said it was “dreadfully disappointing” to have to call off the meeting. “But you can’t beat Mother Nature,” he said.

The mega event had been thrown into jeopardy after a crucial section of the Coast racecourse was poisoned last week, sparking an ongoing police investigation and forcing the relocation of last weekend’s first-ever Magic Millions twilight meeting to the Sunshine Coast.

Originally published as Punters lose gamble as big wet delays $14.5 Magic Millions race day