Magic Millions 2019: Organisers and ambassadors for night races at next years Magic Millions
Magic Millions organisers and ambassadors are calling for night races for next year’s event after a successful race day and sales on the Gold Coast in the past week.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
HOPES are rising and calls are increasing for night racing on the Gold Coast despite another bumper daytime Magic Millions race day on the weekend.
Gold Coast Turf Club CEO Steve Lines is hopeful of it happening in the near future.
“It could happen next year, or the following. It’s on our radar,” he said.
Mr Lines said 22,000-plus had turned out for Saturday’s big race day, up 1000 on last year.
“All of the feedback has been really positive, I haven’t had any negative feedback. All of the events have had a really good turn up.
“The two-year-old race was outstanding. Everyone had a really good day.”
OTHER NEWS:
Coast hearing program changes little girl’s life
Great-grandfather’s war medals stolen in callous robbery
Racing Queensland CEO Brendan Parnell told the Bulletin early this year work could start on both the training tracks and installation of lights for night racing.
“All going well it could be completed by 2020,” he said last month. “There is $28 million allocated to it from the (racing scheme) and we are eager to get started.”
MAGIC MILLIONS 2019 RACE DAY GALLERY
Magic Millions ambassador and respected racing commentator Francesca Cumani said night racing was increasingly happening all over the world: “In Australia it probably makes more sense than a lot of places because of the heat, and anything you can do to improve the welfare of the horses, especially this week when it can be ridiculously hot.
MAGIC MILLIONS AUCTION: HOW TO BUY A RACEHORSE
“But (night racing) is partly weather related and partly socially related because people would prefer to go out a bit later and be entertained a bit later and feeds on into evening drinks.”
The project will need to be approved by the Government first.
Race goers at the Gold Coast Turf Club reportedly drank more than a million dollars worth of alcohol during the day.
Among the thousands of attendees, of the biggest household names came to watch the races.
Australian model and Moët & Chandon ambassador Jesinta Franklin arrived wearing a pink and white dress and sporting a pixie haircut.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE GOLD COAST BULLETIN FOR JUST $5 A MONTH FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS
Royal Zara Tindall and husband Mike Tindall, Magic Millions ambassadors Nacho Figueras and his wife Delfina Blaquier were the international names in the Dome on the day.
Former NRL player Gorden Tallis showed up with his wife, Christine, who showed off her new baby bump, and his fellow co-presenter Matthew Johns was also there.
New Magic Millions ambassadors Billy Slater and wife Nicole didn’t make it to the event as they returned home after a week long of events.
While thousands partied, on the other side of the fence, about 50 people stood outside and protested against animal cruelty for hours.
Grouped together holding signs and flags, one man has taken to shouting information through a microphone.
“They reward their horses with a 50-cent bullet to the head,” he said.
“Each and every year we see 120 horses killed on the racetrack … they kill horses for dog meat.”
But Mr Lines wasn’t concerned as he said people protested every year.
“It was well policed and it was a peaceful protest. We had plenty of support on our side of the fence,” he said.
Stunned commentator: ‘Never woulda’ thought it – Bernie’s back’
His first significant tennis tournament final in six years - saving match points on the way - has prompted a stunned commentator to announce “Bernie’s back!”. FULL STORY
REPLAYS: Gold Coast powerhouse sweeps to yet more AFLQ Schools Cup glory
They did it for the first time in 2023, now Palm Beach Currumbin can add four more titles to their burgeoning trophy cabinet after dominating finals day at Maroochydore. Catch up on all the REPLAYS.