Why the Gold Coast needs a track upgrade now

One of the world’s best jockeys has made a desperate plea to the Government over the Coast’s long-awaited multimillion-dollar track upgrade.

AUSTRALIA’S leading trainer and one of the world’s best jockeys have urged the Queensland Government to finally deliver promised funding to enable the Gold Coast Turf Club to start its long-awaited multimillion-dollar track upgrade.

Trainer Chris Waller, the master horseman behind Winx’s domination, and top international jockey Zac Purton believe the club’s ambitious plans would help it set a new benchmark for horse welfare and entice leading horses, jockeys and trainers here.

Aquis Park, which is home to Queensland’s richest race day in the form of the $10 million Magic Millions carnival, has not had a track upgrade in 30 years.

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Aquis CEO Shane McGrath. Photo by Richard Gosling

Cub officials have been awaiting the green light on a promised $33 million in infrastructure funding from the State Government through the Racing Infrastructure Fund.

The calls come as State Government leaders meet on the Gold Coast this weekend.

Aquis CEO Shane McGrath said the upgrades would make the track an international destination for racing.

“As one of the major investors in the thoroughbred industry in Australia and naming rights partner of the GCTC, Aquis supports the club’s continued drive to become a world-class facility,” McGrath said.

“The financial support from the State Government’s RIF (Racing Infrastructure Fund) for the planned infrastructure upgrades will ensure it becomes an international destination for racing enthusiasts.

“The new and improved training facilities planned for the GCTC are critical to ensure that welfare of its horses is paramount.”

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Racing Queensland submitted a business case for the major redevelopment of the track to the Queensland Government at the end of last year.

If the funding is approved, the GCTC plans to start work immediately in an effort to potentially host the 2022 Magic Millions under lights on a new state-of-the-art racing surface.

Upgrades would assist the club in a two-pronged push to become Queensland’s second metropolitan racing club and also gain Group 1 status for the time-honoured A.D. Hollindale Stakes.

Purton, who served his apprenticeship on the Gold Coast before becoming one of the world’s best jockeys, said racing on modern racetracks was vital for horse welfare and the future of the sport.

Waller, one of several leading Sydney trainers who has either relocated or created a satellite stable on the Gold Coast, said a major track upgrade would enhance the quality of horses racing at Aquis Park on a regular basis.

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“There are a lot of NSW and Victorian stables wanting to expand and invest in Queensland so spending some money on the Gold Coast would make it a hive of activity,” he said.

“This would in turn provide a boost for the economy and employment for an array of local providers including feed, vets, transport, farriers, staff, track riders and jockeys.’’

Vin Cox, former boss of Magic Millions and now managing director of racing and breeding operation Godolphin, said the track upgrades would provide a huge boost to the Gold Coast economy.

“The Gold Coast Turf Club is an integral part of the social, economic and tourist sectors of the Gold Coast. Once the long overdue planned upgrades have been carried out all these sectors will go to another level,” said Cox, who envisioned better quality racing and greater opportunities.