NO MUCKING OUT THESE STABLES

INSIDE RACING KING’S PALACE

GOLD Coast Harness Racing Club boss Barry Grimsey is hoping punters are quick out of the traps in the race to secure his spectacular $4.5 million Versace mansion.

Mr Grimsey’s Hope Island property has hit the market for the first time since he and his wife Judith built it 10 years ago.

The five-bedroom mansion at 8080 Riverside Drive took the couple 18 months to design and oozes Versace style, right down to the handmade furniture and imported placemats from Europe.

The mammoth arched front door opens to reveal gold-style interiors and blue Versace rugs that roll out for a regal welcome.

Draping curtains, marble spa, Imperial Gold Granite benches, Bisazza Mozaic tiles and a cellar are just some of the luxury features.

According to Mr Grimsey the property is home to more than $30,000 worth of antiques.

“The mirror is worth $15,000 alone,” Mr Grimsey said.

“If someone wants the antiques and they are prepared to pay for it then they should have them because the house was designed around the custom furniture.

“A lot of our guests walk in and are blown away.”

Mrs Grimsey said she would miss hosting “Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea’’ every year at the mansion.

“It feels like a high tea at Versace and I think the guests will miss it the most,” Mrs Grimsey said.

“My daughters and I have loved hosting it. We can have up to 60 people dining here.”

Guests of the palace-style house are spoiled with Versace cutlery and dinnerware and a bar built into the pool.

Mr Grimsey said he has his eye on Robina to rehome his club and hopes to buy a penthouse there.

“The good news is that we have had a couple of good wins for the club and we are negotiating a deal in Robina,” Mr Grimsey said. “My wife and I love to travel and we do try and cruise every 12 months. A lot of our friends we have met on cruise live in penthouses and have recommended it.

“We really want to spend more time travelling and we think lock-and-go living in a penthouse is ideal for our lifestyle.

“At the moment we are only living in half of the house and I think our grandkids get more fun out of it playing hide-and-seek.”

The antique furniture and Versace-inspire trimmings can be part of the sale of the Hope Island mansion however the owner, Gold Coast Harness Racing Club boss Barry Grimsey (below),prospective buyers should not expect them to come at a bargain basement...