Countdown Begins to Australia's Richest Race Day

As the start of the new racing season approaches this weekend, the stage is set for a spectacular first installment of Australia's richest race meeting with further details released for the revamped $10 million Magic Millions Raceday program on January 9 next year.

The annual Magic Millions Carnival, one of Queensland's premier events, will cement its standing as the epicentre of Australian summer racing with the exciting addition of two new races, the $1 million Magic Millions QTIS Open (1300m) for Magic Millions and QTIS registered horses of all ages and the $250,000 Magic Millions Country Cup (1200m).

As well as these program additions, substantially, prizemoney will double for the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas to $2 million. Major increases in purses to the Magic Millions Cup, Sprint, Fillies and Mares Handicap and Trophy (Stayers Cup) will see seven races on the program offering $1 million or more with prizemoney distributed from first to last position in all races on the card.

As part of the multi-million dollar revamp, which results in Magic Millions Raceday being the focal point for the Queensland Summer Racing Carnival, four lead-up races will be designated as 'wildcards' providing the winners automatic entry into the applicable field on Magic Millions Raceday, irrespective of whether they are Magic Millions registered, subject to certain conditions.

"The inaugural $10 million Magic Millions Raceday will deliver the most exciting racing experience we've seen in this country. It will showcase the Gold Coast and the Australian thoroughbred industry to the world at the same time as providing remarkable returns to a broad range of participants," said Magic Millions Managing Director Vin Cox.

Racing Queensland Thoroughbreds Operations Manager Ross Gove said the creation of the Country Cup ensured the raceday's footprint extended across the state, while the other prizemoney boosts will only heighten participation from across Australia in the day.

"The outstanding results from this year's Gold Coast January and March sales show just how much of an impact the boost to the raceday has had on the concept and we are anticipating some great quality racing come January 2016," he said.

"The inclusion of the new $1 million QTIS race really complements what was already a burgeoning program , while the advent of the Country Cup will offer a unique opportunity for horses and their connections to be part of the nation's richest raceday."

Due to the significant changes to the program, over the last six months Magic Millions and Racing Queensland have provided a one-off opportunity to owners of eligible older horses not nominated to the Series, to pay the nomination fee via a late registration. Accordingly, late registrations to enter the Magic Millions Race Series close this Friday July 31.

The full program is as follows:

• Magic Millions 2YO Classic ($2 million + $500,000 Racing Women's Bonus & $8,000 trophies, 1200m – Set Weights)
• Magic Millions 3YO Guineas ($2 million & $5,000 trophies, 1400m – Set Weights & Penalties)
• Magic Millions Cup ($1 million & $2,500 trophies, 1400m – Quality Handicap)
• Magic Millions Sprint ($1 million & $2,500 trophies, 1100m – Quality Handicap)
• Magic Millions Fillies & Mares Hcp ($1 million & $2,500 trophies, 1300m – Quality Handicap)
• Magic Millions Trophy ($1 million & $2,500 trophies, 1800m – Quality Handicap)
• Magic Millions QTIS Open ($1 million & $2,500 trophies, 1300m – Set Weights & Penalties)
• Magic Millions Country Cup ($250,000 & $1,500 trophies, 1200m – Quality Handicap)
• Magic Millions Maiden Plate ($250,000 & $1,500 trophies, 1200m – Set Weights)

A new earlier first entries deadline for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic and Magic Millions 3YO Guineas has been brought forward to Thursday October 1, with first entries for the remainder of the program closing on Tuesday December 29.