Magic Millions: Tony McEvoy irked over travel arrangements and race programming in Queensland

A frustrated Tony McEvoy has teed off at Queensland racing over its field sizes and difficulties with travel arrangements in the countdown to the Magic Millions next month.

Tony McEvoy is adamant he will not travel to the Gold Coast to qualify Magic Millions runners unless Racing Queensland addresses field sizes and transport logistics.

Frustrated after King And King and Lopez failed to secure starts in the $125,000 QTIS Two-Year-Old (1000m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday, McEvoy said Racing Queensland needs to urgently reconsider its strategy.

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“There were 16 acceptors for the race, so there could have been two fields of eight with each-way betting but, Racing Queensland, in their wisdom, decided to a field of 10 with six emergencies,” McEvoy said.

“I have owners who have paid for horses to fly to Queensland and we can’t get a start.

“I think Racing Queensland needs to look at the way Perth looks after owners and trainers with transport and quality racing.

“I’m not going back up there to Queensland to qualify my horses when this happens. If I can’t qualify them down here, I’m not going.”

Safety rules dictate only 10 horses can run from the 1000m start in two-year-old races at Eagle Farm.

Trainer Tony McEvoy is at loggerheads with Racing Queensland over race programming.

Racing Queensland said it was not viable to split Saturday’s race, even if it is a crucial qualifier for the Magic Millions Classic on January 11.

An RQ spokesman said the aim was to provide as many opportunities as possible for trainers to race in Queensland to qualify their horses for Magic Millions.

“From November 2 to January 4, RQ conducts 24 races for two-year-olds at a variety of tracks and distances in south east Queensland,” the spokesman said.

“And only this year we created an additional opportunity for qualification through the introduction of the Golden Pearl for fillies, in support of the Golden Nugget for colts and geldings, run one week prior to Magic Millions day.

McEvoy says he has encountered logistical barriers for the past three years.

“With only 16 acceptances for the Plate at Eagle Farm this Saturday and with half with those also holding nominations for the Gold Coast meeting on the same day, it was not viable to divide the race.”

McEvoy has encountered logistical barriers for the past three years.

“It is not as if this hasn't happened before,” he said, referring to cancelled flights last week.

Lopez also accepted at the Gold Coast but is also an emergency there on Saturday.

McEvoy said the Lopez and King And King are now likely to head towards the $250,000 Group 3 B J McLachlan Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on December 28.

McEvoy and his son Calvin will have a “good hand” at Flemington on Saturday when the partnership saddles Ruler By Choice, Celtic Rebel, Renegade and Secret Blaze.

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USAIN SET TO BOWL ’EM OVER

Caulfield trainer John Sadler hopes patience will pay off twice over the next month for Usain Bowler after resisting running the gelding during the Melbourne Cup carnival.

Usain Bowler will contest the Ranvet Handicap (1200m) at Randwick tomorrow before the
$1 million Magic Millions Cup (1400m) at the Gold Coast on January 11.

“He runs at Randwick on Saturday and then I’ll give him two or three days to recover, then he’ll get on the float and head to the Gold Coast,” Sadler said.

“I feel this would be the best we’ve had him.

“He’ll run well on Saturday.”

Sadler decided to give Usain Bowler a spell after the gelding’s dominant 1400m win at Caulfield in October.

“It was tempting to go on after he won at Caulfield because he was in great form and there was a nice race for him over the Flemington carnival, but we tipped him out,” Sadler said.

“He went up last year for the Magic Millions and ran fifth in the 1200m race and it was a good run. This year he goes to the 1400m race.”

To be ridden by in-form Glen Boss, Usain Bowler, has firmed with TAB from $6 to $4 favourite.

The Victoria Racing Club increased its membership by almost 5000 during the year.

REVENUE INCREASE FOR VRC

The Victoria Racing Club has bolstered its financial position, increasing revenue by $27.4 million in 2018-19.

The club invested $21.6 million in capital projects, including $8.2 million to complete the Club Stand at Flemington.

“Much was achieved in 2018-19 and strategic goals and plans were established to continue to build on the momentum of the club’s success and to ensure we maintain our leading position in the industry,” chair Amanda Elliott said.

“Our commitment to our members continued to be demonstrated with the opening of the state-of-the-art Club Stand on Victoria Derby Day 2018.

“It has been so well received by our members and has also helped drive membership, with almost 5000 joining the VRC during the year.

“We were pleased to report a Melbourne Cup carnival ­record economic impact of $447.6 million to the state of Victoria. The Cup itself was broadcast to 163 territories and reached a record 2.4 million total unique viewers worldwide on Twitter.”

Elliott said the deal with Network 10 was justified.

“We also launched our ­global digital platform World Horse Racing in conjunction with Ascot, Goodwood and the Breeders’ Cup, which exceeded expectations and delivered 147 million video views.”

Originally published as Magic Millions: Tony McEvoy irked over travel arrangements and race programming in Queensland