The final seven races of the $14.5 million Magic Millions race day will be run on Friday night after heavy rain caused the scheduled Gold Coast meeting on Saturday to be called off after just three races.
After a massive effort to get the track ready following the poisoning of turf into the lead-up of the meeting, the weather gods were not kind to the Gold Coast Turf Club, A total of 13 millimetres fell on Saturday morning and then a further storm hit the track after the running of the third race.
That storm flooded the track and while it was initially decided to give it time before making a decision stewards made the call after consulting with jockeys that the track was unlikely to suitable for racing, with former storms in the area,
“We delayed to give us a bit of time to see what they weather band was going to do, but unfortunately there is a fair bit of rain sitting off the coast, and so we don’t believe delaying any further is going to get us to a position to have the remainder of the card,” chief steward Josh Adams said.
“Speaking to Magic Millions and Racing Queensland we are going to transfer the reminder of the meeting to Friday night, so the rest of the day’s meeting has not been abandoned, it will be transferred.”
RQ CEO Jason Scott said the decision was made following discussions with trainer and jockey representatives, while Magic Millions and Queensland Racing Integrity Commission stewards were also involved.
“The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday is an iconic national event, and will shine brightest on the national stage under lights on Friday,” he said.
“The safety of our animals and participants is paramount, and unfortunately a heavy downpour following the third race has left the track unsuitable for racing.”
It is the second time in three years the meeting has been rescheduled after 2023’s event was held on the following Wednesday due to track issues.
It came after the race club were forced to re-lay a significant patch of turf around the 500 metre mark, which had been poisoned. That forced the traditional lead-up meeting last Saturday to be moved to the Sunshine Coast.
Eagle Farm had been on standby to host the main Magic Millions meeting, but that option was not utilised. As it turned out, the scheduled meeting at that track was abandoned on Saturday morning following overnight rain.
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The decision will not impact the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, with Book 2 to proceed as planned on Sunday and Monday.
The three races that were run on Saturday saw wins to Heavenly Impact in the Magic Millions Maiden Plate, Slippin Jimmy in the Country Cup and Amosu in The Debut.
