TAB Silks Under The Stars race evening launches at Gold Coast Turf Club
The debut of night racing at the Gold Coast Turf Club delivered an incredible spectacle, with lasers, drones and music. SEE ALL THE PICTURES
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
What’s being dubbed the Big Bash cricket version of horse racing has hit the Gold Coast – and proven a winner, according to a stoked turf club boss.
The Gold Coast Turf Club’s first full race meet under lights – after years of planning and a multimillion-dollar upgrade – brought in nearly 10,000 punter on Friday night.
The Bundall track came to life for the TAB Silks Under The Stars race evening, marking a new era for the club.
It attracted a who is who of the Gold Coast along with general punters for a buzzy trackside atmosphere.
Gold Coast Turf Club CEO Steve Lines said afterwards: “It was just a massive success.
“There was a crowd of nearly ten thousand people. We put a couple of shows on with an electric violinist and a lights show.”
The track featured big races including a Magic Millions debut of unraced two-year-olds worth $250,000 and a three-year-old open race. Off track, eyes were also skyward with a stunning drone display and laser lights show among the attractions.
“It’s all about racing tourism so for us this product is something that people will want to come and see,” Mr Lines said.
“They’ll actually come to the Gold Coast stay here and come to it, watch it and go to the theme parks and stay for the weekend. It’s all built around tourism, the Big Bash of racing.”
Mr Lines said the club was also in discussions with a Dubai race club for future events under the stars, hoping to attract interstate and international attendees.
“It certainly affords us some big opportunities. We’ll do about six to eight of these a year, they may not always be Friday nights – we might do a couple of Wednesdays – we’re just working through our program now.
“It’s all about giving people an experience that they would never get anywhere else in Australia.”
Another twilight race meeting – starting in the late afternoon and heading into the night – will occur on January 4 with six Magic Millions carnival feature races worth $2.5 million.
The next big full race meet under the lights at the Gold Coast Turf Club is scheduled for Friday, January 24th – which is expected to be a thrilling night time start to the Australia Day long weekend.
Tickets are available via the Gold Coast Turf Club website.
More Coverage
Originally published as TAB Silks Under The Stars race evening launches at Gold Coast Turf Club
‘Little gem’: New Italian opens on southern Gold Coast
A new ‘neighbourhood Italian’ has moved into a southern Gold Coast suburb and locals are loving it.
Man charged after alleged Gold Coast armed robbery
A man has been charged by police after an alleged early morning robbery on the Gold Coast. Read when he’ll face court.
All the venues that opened in your suburb in 2024
From a string of big-name restaurants at Nobby Beach to a Michelin-starred chef moving into Labrador, keep the festive feasting going at 39 of the Gold Coast’s best dining debuts.
Billions expected in bumper Boxing Day sales
The Gold Coast’s biggest shopping centres are gearing up for “the most highly anticipated shopping day of the year”. Here’s how to get the best bargains.
Christmas miracle on way for heartbroken Gold Coast family
A Gold Coast family has a Christmas miracle coming their way and is full of hope - after the tragic loss of their daughter last year. FULL STORY
Gold Coast chiropractor banned from treating female patients
A Gold Coast chiropractor, who advertises holistic care, has been slapped with a ban on treating women by the healthcare watchdog.