Gold Coast’s Magic Millions a massive success for 2015

ORGANISERS say numbers were “well up” on last year at Saturday’s big Magic Millions Raceday.

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ORGANISERS say numbers were “well up” on last year at Saturday’s big Magic Millions Raceday.

The Magic Millions Fashions on the Field talent pool was said to be on a whole new level, with a Queenslander beating stylish women from all over Australia to be crowned fashion queen.

But across the entire venue VIP tents were buzzing, presale tickets figures were up and the members’ stand was packed.

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Although the final figure of exactly how many went through the gates is still under wraps, Gold Coast Turf Club chief executive Grant Sheather said patronage was definitely “well up”.

Mr Sheather said his staff had to stop selling tickets to the members’ area by about midday, due to overwhelming ­demand probably thanks to a lot of interstate members deciding to come to this year’s event.

Corporate sales were also up by about 700 and about 3000 more people prepaid for tickets online this year.

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Mr Sheather said the club would now have a debrief session to work out any changes for next year but the initial feeling was new areas like the 1000-seat pavilion worked really well and promotion of the raceday had been a success.

Myer Fashions on the Field winners Lauren Walker and Bart Barden.

“I think the hype around the big prizemoney, the coverage of the sales and all the good images in the lead-up like the horses racing on the beach was just a recipe for a good event,” he said.

Back on the fashionable side of the track, Brisbane boutique owner Lauren Walker stole the Fashion on the Field show with her dramatic, graphic print Clover Cannon US designer dress.

With almost double the number of entrants as last year, the judges said crowning the winner was tough.

“The stakes were incredibly high from the first heat and I didn't know how we were going to make a decision,” Myer ambassador and judge Jodi Anasta said. “Ultimately we chose who we considered was the most unique.”

Lauren dedicated her victory to her mother, milliner Desley Walker, who is the lucky lady heading to Melbourne with her daughter for the Melbourne Cup.

“Mum made my one-of-a-kind hat and helped me style so I'll be taking her along to Melbourne with me,” Ms Walker said

Lauren scored return flights to Melbourne for the Melbourne Cup, with 10 nights accommodation, a $2500 Myer gift card and $17,000 worth of Calleija jewels.

Male winner Bart Barden, also hailing from Brisbane, was recognised for his effortless style. Judge and NRL great Braith Anasta said he embodied the Coast's laid-back fashion sense.

“It's so much more relaxing and a holiday vibe on the Gold Coast and we think Bart has pulled off that look perfectly.”

But Bart claimed to be just your average bloke who came along for the ride.

“I didn't even know I was going to enter to be honest,” he said. “Pretty stoked that I did.”