Gold Coast Magic Millions launch party free at turf club for Daryl Braithwaite, Amy Shark, DJ gigs
Punters at Gold Coast Magic Millions’ first twilight meet under lights with Amy Shark, Daryl Braithwaite and karaoke have given a thumbs up despite racing moving to Sunshine Coast. PHOTOS
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UPDATED: For some punters, it turns out you can still enjoy a race day without horses.
Visitors to the Gold Coast Turf Club inaugural $6.05 million Magic Millions twilight race event on Saturday have given it a thumbs up for a good time despite the actual horse races moving to the Sunshine Coast due to mystery track damage that’s still under investigation.
Ipswich’s Matty Deasy was visiting with a group for his Gold Coast-based mother-in-law’s birthday and said despite the races moving to the Sunshine Coast it took no shine off their celebrations.
“It was about 10pm the night before when I found out I was scrolling through Facebook - pretty sure it was the Gold Coast Bulletin - so shout out to them.
“But I was sweet, I didn’t really care because I was just coming for a couple of beers anyway. And I saw you get a refund - but then I gave my missus that $30 so I still haven’t got a refund - so that’s on her.”
INDEPTH WITH KATIE PAGE AND GERRY HARVEY
They lapped up Daryl Braithwaite’s two sets in the afternoon followed by Amy Shark who answered a last-minute call from organisers to play a set - and it is understood the Magic Millions organisers had come close to securing UK star Robbie Williams but the only stumbling block had been his departure flight time.
Magic Millions co-owner Katie Page was personally rounding up race-goers to head over to the Amy Shark show just after 7pm.
Trackgoer Patrick Walker, visiting from Western Australia, added: “They have made a day out at the races without the horses - it’s pretty impressive, they have done well.
“It’s still quite an impressive crowd, good turnout and with Daryl Braithwaite and Amy Shark it’s been good fun. It’s only a quick flight over from WA, my partner lives on the Gold Coast.”
Crowd numbers were well down on the expected turnout but crowds still packed in to the front of the stand for the free concerts whilst a karaoke competition earlier in the day saw Magic Millions ambassadors Nicole Slater and former English rugby star Mike Tindall perform a well-sung version of Shallows.
Sunday’s polo and showjumping is on track for Doug Jennings Park with organisers of next Saturday’s megabacks main race day - featuring the 2YO Classic and 3YO Guineas - pulling out all the stops to ensure the damage track is ready, with expectations so far that it will be.
EARLIER: The Magic Millions extravagant launch party with Daryl ‘Mr Horses’ Braithwaite and now Amy Shark performing under lights at the Gold Coast Turf Club is now free entry after drama saw the racing moved elsewhere.
Pre-purchased general admission ticketholders will all be refunded, whilst corporate ticketholders are being promised discounts that are still to be determined.
Magic Millions organisers, Experience Gold Coast and the Gold Coast Turf Club scrambled on Friday to rescue the launch festivities after a shock decision by racing officials to move the horse racing element to the Sunshine Coast due to track damage.
Magic Millions confirmed on Saturday afternoon super-selling Gold Coast songstress Amy Shark had been added to the concert line up at the Gold Coast Turf Club. She will play a set just after 7pm.
As an investigation continued into what caused the damage to a large section of track near the home turn - with speculation about sabotage rife - the Gold Coast Turf Club event has been turned into an even bigger trackside party than originally planned.
LATEST ON MAGIC MILLIONS SHOCK TRACK DRAMA AND INVESTIGATION
The Bundall turf club’s big trackside “gold” themed party will also feature multiple Daryl Braithwaite concert sets - famed for his hit Horses - and also three MashD’N Kutcher DJ sets all afternoon along with karaoke and live sites.
The mounting yard will turn into a live site for the day, with the races as they happen in the Sunshine Coast being played throughout the turf club.
Magic Millions’ celebrity line up of ambassadors will all still be attending on the Gold Coast as planned - they include royal Zara Phillips, her husband and former English rugby star Mike Tindall, Queensland State of Origin coach Billy Slater and his wife Nicole and Argentine polo pro Nacho Figueras and wife Delfina Blaquier.
Gold Coast Turf Club spokesman Adam Gardini confirmed on Saturday morning all general admission entry would be free with access to the concerts.
He also confirmed pre-purchased early bird $20 general admission tickets and $30 full price ones would be refunded.
“It’s been a challenging 24 hours. Now anyone who wants to come in can. Everything we had in place is still in place along with other DJs and acts.
“Those who bought corporate hospitality will receive a significant discount.”
The huge pivot comes after Queensland racing officials were forced to move the rich twilight meeting - which includes the $3m Sunlight slot race and $500,000 The Wave - after jockeys raised concerns about the state of the track at the 500m point.
Officials were left stunned on Friday afternoon when they discovered part of the new track had suffered significant chemical damage.
On Saturday morning the Gold Coast Turf Club released an updated photo of damaged section of track, showing further deterioration further suggesting some sort of poisoning.
One source close to the turf club said: “This photo suggests there is deliberate damage - if it was a mistake or some sort of herbicide then the grass wouldn’t be dying like this.”
Magic Millions organisers have forged ahead with the Bundall event - dubbed a “gold party” - promising it will still be a great atmosphere.
General admission is now free and gets access to the two Daryl Braithwaite sets - being played after the 6.05pm race and the 6.40pm race. It also gets access to the DJ Mashton Kutcher sets in the afternoon.
Sources close to both the Magic Millions and Gold Coast Turf Club said the Magic Millions’ main megabucks race day with $14.5 million in prizemoney on Saturday, January 11 would be going ahead at the Bundall track as planned, unaffected by the track drama that has forced the horse racing tomorrow to the Sunshine Coast.
Magic Millions event partner Experience Gold Coast’s CEO John Warn said: “Whilst we are disappointed that the racing won’t be on Saturday at the Gold Coast, safety is paramount.
“It’s important as a city we get behind the Magic Millions carnival and celebrate what will be a wonderful week of events on the Gold Coast.”
Mr Warn added Magic Millions co-owner Katie Page-Harvey and Magic Millions CEO Barry Bowditch “and the teams have moved so fast in managing a difficult situation”.
“We congratulate all involved in pivoting so quickly to put guests and their experience first ,by creating the gold party which should be a great event.”
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Originally published as Gold Coast Magic Millions launch party free at turf club for Daryl Braithwaite, Amy Shark, DJ gigs
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