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Popular former racing administrator to be honoured

Rob Koch’s tireless work to set up and push the Magic Millions FNQ Up and Coming Stayers Series will be recognised, with the racing administrator’s memory to be honoured in the 2021 series.

Rob Koch. PICTURE: STEWART McLEAN.
Rob Koch. PICTURE: STEWART McLEAN.

ROB Koch’s tireless work to set up and push the Magic Millions FNQ Up and Coming Stayers Series will be recognised, with the racing administrator’s memory to be honoured in the 2021 series.

The popular local racing ­administrator and horse owner passed away earlier this year, and the series he started was put on hold as coronavirus forced cancellations of the bush racing meetings in the ­region.

It will be back bigger and better in 2021, but will now be known as the “Magic Millions Rob Koch Memorial Far North Queensland Up and Coming Stayers Points Series”.

Wetherby Station and Rattus Conatus, John Colless and Rob Koch.
Wetherby Station and Rattus Conatus, John Colless and Rob Koch.

“It is great Rob’s name will stick with the series as he instigated the entire thing and worked hard to keep it going,” Atherton Turf Club’s Don Scheffler said.

Koch was a driving force behind the creation and ongoing growth of the series since its creation in 2014.

Developed by the Far North region’s race clubs, the series is a group of races with above standard prizemoney, specifically programmed to cater for racehorses rated less than Open class.

There will be a jockeys’ bonus courtesy of the Cairns Jockey Club and Magic Millions complimentary travel prize in 2021.

Jockey Amanda Thomson, MSF General Manager Phil Miskin, with Nevetus' owners Rob and Jane Koch. PHOTO: Elisabeth Champion.
Jockey Amanda Thomson, MSF General Manager Phil Miskin, with Nevetus' owners Rob and Jane Koch. PHOTO: Elisabeth Champion.

They were set to be additions to the previous series, which Koch negotiated when setting up the 2020 edition, before passing away.

The series does not culminate in a final, but there is an owner, trainer and jockey bonus based on points accrued across the eight races. In the event of a dead heat, points will be evenly distributed.

Magic Millions also offer complimentary travel prize for the winning trainer, jockey and managing owner, with the choice of attending the MM 2YOS in Training Sale or Gold Coast March Yearling Sale.

Rob Koch. PICTURE: STEWART McLEAN
Rob Koch. PICTURE: STEWART McLEAN

2021 SERIES

3/04/21 Einasleigh RC Benchmark 60 Hcp 1370m

30/04/21 Mt Garnet ATC Benchmark 60 Hcp 1680m

08/05/21 Gordonvale TC Benchmark 65 Hcp 1800m

18/05/21 Cairns JC TAB Benchmark 65 Hcp 1900m

05/06/21 Innisfail TC Benchmark 60 Hcp 1800m

19/06/21 Atherton TC Benchmark 65 Hcp 2000m

03/07/21 Oak Park RC Benchmark 65 Hcp 1600m

TBC/07/21 Cairns JC TAB Benchmark 70 Hcp 2100m

Winners receive:

Owners of the horse that accrues the most points in the above races – $4,000

Trainer that accrues the most points in the above races – $2,000

Jockey that accrues the most points in the above races – $500 (courtesy of Cairns JC)

Originally published as Popular former racing administrator to be honoured

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/popular-former-racing-administrator-to-be-honoured/news-story/ba7b891187d9abf0f8dffae180235835