Racehorse TALK

magic for CoastDaniel Meers   |  December 19th, 2009

THE future of the Magic Millions raceday has all but been assured after the Brisbane Racing Club last night formally told the Gold Coast Turf Club they do not want to steal the meeting.

In a stunning revelation, The Gold Coast Bulletin can reveal the board of the BRC, who govern John Singleton's preferred alternate venue Eagle Farm, said the club would not enter negotiations with the Magic Millions company if approached to host the event.

The BRC sent a letter to GCTC chief executive Grant Sheather yesterday after their board this week passed a motion not to make any attempts to poach the $4.6 million raceday.

"BRC has absolutely no intention of attempting to lure feature race dates away from other clubs, specifically the BRC believes the Magic Millions should be held at the Gold Coast racecourse and conducted by the GCTC," read the letter.

"If moves were made by Magic Millions to move the Magic Millions races to Eagle Farm, the BRC would not hold any discussions or negotiations with Magic Millions."

The BRC board voted on the resolution after speculation arose about the future of the event at the Gold Coast and Eagle Farm was again raised as an alternate venue.

Magic Millions would now have to move the event away from Queensland if they wanted to strip it from the Gold Coast.

The BRC said they would only negotiate with the GCTC over the future of a Gold Coast-based Magic Millions raceday and that would only be in the unlikely event the Bundall club decided they wanted to host the meeting but rent Eagle Farm's larger facilities.

Gold Coast Turf Club chairman Andrew Eggleston last night heaped praise on the BRC for their stance.

"This shows that clubs can work together and that's what racing should be about," he said.

"We've got plans to improve and better cater for crowds with the facilities we have at the Gold Coast and this gives us further substance to press ahead with those plans."

Sheather said he was hopeful the formal statement would switch attention back on to the meeting.

"It puts the focus back on the raceday and back on our long-term plans to expand the event for the future and how we can promote it further both internationally and more nationally," he said.

"We want it to stay here, it's a great concept John (Singleton) and Gerry (Harvey) have created.

"They've done a great job and we want to work hand in hand with them."

Sheather confirmed the club had already begun preparations to look at expanding raceday facilities to include the infield for 2011.