Queensland racing booms as Sunshine Coast posts record numbers for Mooloolaba Cup day meeting

As the Sunshine Coast Turf Club marks the “biggest Mooloolaba Cup day we’ve had”, Racing Queensland has revealed wagering turnover is mirroring the growth trend.

Sunshine Coast Turf Club boss John Miller is delighted with the crowd figures for Mooloolaba Cup day.

Sunshine Coast Turf Club has smashed attendance records, with Saturday’s Mooloolaba Cup day pulling 4,500 racegoers through the Corbould Park gates – a 30 per cent surge on last year’s crowd.

The official start of the Queensland summer carnival delivered on every level: Bumper fields, sold out hospitality and a younger demographic flooding the lawns.

Close to $30 million was wagered on the 10‑race card, cementing the region’s reputation as a springboard for Magic Millions hopefuls and a magnet for cashed-up punters.

“It’s clearly the biggest Mooloolaba Cup day we’ve had,” Sunshine Coast Turf Club boss John Miller declared.

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“Numbers through the gates are 30 per cent up on last year which is a huge increase. All our hospitality was sold out leading into the day.

“When you walk around and feel the vibe, we’re seeing all these young people here on-course which is sort of what we got at Caloundra Cup (in July) as well.”

Racing Queensland acting chief executive Lachlan Murray confirmed wagering had jumped 30 per cent from 2024 to almost $30m for Mooloolaba Cup day, even accounting for last year’s Heavy 8 slog.

“Conditions were outstanding, crowds were out in force, fields were terrific and wagering was up,” Murray said on Sunday.

“It’s a great start to the Queensland summer racing carnival.”

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The upswing mirrors broader momentum across the state’s spring and early summer program.

Racing Queensland figures show thoroughbred turnover rose 3 per cent to $1.25 billion over the first four months of the financial year (July to October), with Saturday metro meetings driving the spike – up 9 per cent to $432m.

Wet weather in Brisbane on Everest and Caulfield Cup day on October 18 and on Victoria Derby day early this month meant wagering figures were well down as officials were forced to reschedule or abandon a total of 10 races at Eagle Farm.

However, wagering turnover was up 13.4 per cent on Cox Plate day at Doomben, 20.6 per cent on Champions Stakes day at Eagle Farm and 21.8 per cent on Sandown Stakes day at Doomben.

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Miller said trainers were voting with their hooves, pointing to consistently strong field sizes drawn to the Sunshine Coast’s expansive, pristine track.

“It’s a long way to Magic Millions but there are plenty of good horses kicking off their campaigns and hopefully they are there in mid-January at the Gold Coast,” he said.

“I think every time we run a metro meeting, if you look at the field sizes it just reflects that trainers want to run their horses here on this big, wide open track and punters like it.”

The Sunshine Coast Turf Club hosts about 60 meetings annually – triple Flemington’s tally of roughly 20.

“I’ll go as far to say this is the most raced turf track in the world, unless you can find me another turf track that races more than us,” Miller said.

Originally published as Queensland racing booms as Sunshine Coast posts record numbers for Mooloolaba Cup day meeting