NEWS RELEASE
CONRAD JUPITERS MAGIC MILLIONS EXCITEMENT ABOUT TO BEGIN
EASTER MONDAY FEATURE RACEDAY BOASTS QUEENSLAND RECORD PRIZE POOL
DATE RELEASED: THURSDAY 6TH MARCH 2008
THE wait is almost over for the thousands of local, interstate and international horse racing and party enthusiasts who have been champing at the bit for some long overdue feature race carnival action on the Gold Coast.
Over 120 of Queensland racing’s elite gathered at the Gold Coast Turf Club today for the official launch of the 2008 Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions by Gold Coast Mayor, Ron Clarke.
He was joined by Gold Coast Turf Club Chairman, Hoss Heinrich, Federal Member for Moncrieff, Steven Ciobo, Magic Millions Managing Director, David Chester, Conrad Jupiters General Manager of Corporate Affairs, Michelle Pillonel and BMW’s Bruce Keown.
The Face of the 2008 Magic Millions, reigning Miss Universe Australia Kimberley Busteed, also made her first appearance in her new ambassadorship role.
Normally held as a major Gold Coast event in early January, the Equine Influenza-delayed thoroughbred racing and sales showpiece will be staged this year over 17 days at Easter from 17th March to 2nd April.
According to Mr Heinrich, three days of “stellar racing” will run alongside eight sessions of yearling sales and a huge off-track social program.
“This year’s Magic Millions series has been boosted to over $5.8 million in prize-money with the feature day on Easter Monday, 24th March, boasting a Queensland-record prize pool of $4.1 million,” Mr Heinrich said.
“It’s our first-ever Monday running of the main raceday, but there is some serious prizemoney on offer which is sure to once again attract every key player in the Australian racing industry to the carnival.
“It’s Australia’s premier carnival for sales, racing and fashion,” he said.
The 2008 action kicks off in customary fashion with the official Magic Millions Barrier Draw on Wednesday 19th March at Conrad Jupiters.
It’s the first chance for the owners, trainers, jockeys, bookmakers and punters to weigh up the chances of the runners in the 2YO, 3YO feature races and BMW Magic Millions Cup.
That evening Gold Coast Turf Club Members, their guests and the country’s racing elite will head for the Turf Club Dome for the prestigious Magic Millions Member’s Cocktail Party.
The glamour carnival highlight features top class live entertainment, cocktail food, refreshments and typically generous lashings of Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions colour.
The racing begins on Easter Saturday, 22nd March with a family day featuring free children’s rides and activities. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary will be along with an animal display and there will be free entertainment right the way through the day.
Immediately following the final Saturday race, the Turf Club’s betting ring will be invaded by scores of local and interstate punters – amateur and professional - eager for generous early odds at the ever-popular Call of the Card.
The Call of the Card is the final racing preliminary in the lead up to the Monday’s (24th March) Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions Raceday – the undisputed glamour event of the carnival.
The ten-race program features the $1.5 million Conrad Jupiters 2YO Classic, $1 million Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions 3YO Trophy, $500,000 BMW Magic Millions Cup, $250,000 R.M.Williams Magic Millions Open Sprint, $250,000 Marriott Magic Millions Stayers Cup and the $200,000 Paspaley Magic Millions Fillies and Mares Handicap.
Other races include the ‘world’s richest’ Maiden race sponsored by Queensland Events, the Heinrich Group Magic Millions 2YO Plate, the Waterford Crystal Magic Millions Restricted Class 6 and the Magic Millions Country Cup – each worth $100,000.
Over 18,000 people attended the feature raceday in 2007 – a record Magic Millions attendance – and organisers are confidently predicting another bumper holiday crowd at Easter.
And in huge news for the event, MYER have come on board as Official Fashion Partner for Fashions on the Field!
The retail fashion leader will establish a large Pamper Lounge at the track and thousands of dollars of prizes will be on offer.
High fashion and higher heels will again be the order of the day at this year’s Magic Millions Ladies Day on Saturday 29th March – the final raceday of this year’s event.
Once again there will be Fashions on the Field, the Myer Pamper Lounge and special promotions for the ladies including complimentary ladies entry and a free gift of a mirror compact for the first 200 ladies through the gate. All ladies on the day also receive free chocolates.
The yearling sales begin on the evening of Easter Monday 24th March with the remainder of the program as follows:
SESSION 2: Tuesday 25th March
SESSION 3: Wednesday 26th March
SESSION 4: Thursday 27th March
SESSION 5: Sunday 30th March
SESSION 6: Monday 31st March
SESSION 7: Tuesday 1st April
SESSION 8: Wednesday 2nd April
The Easter scheduling will occur for this year only, with Magic Millions returning to its regular January timeslot in 2009.
People wanting further information on the 2008 Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions racing can call the Gold Coast Turf Club on 07 5538 1599 or visit www.goldcoastturf.com.au
People wanting information on the yearling sales can call 1300 MILLIONS or visit www.magicmillions.com.au
ENDS.
Grant Sheather
Chief Executive
07 5538 1599
Lucy McIntosh
Marketing and Business Development Manager
07 5538 1599
Wayne Hickson
07 5591 2556
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