RECORDS & RACES
THE MAGIC KEEPS ON ROLLING
THE Gold Coast’s Magic Millions captured not only the city’s attention but also a decent chunk of Queensland’s with punters and patrons flocking to the region for the event.
A Bulletin photographer who spent Saturday at the Gold Coast Turf Club capturing the spectacle said most people he came across were from right across Queensland, including couple Ashley and Ky-Lee Finn from Townsville.
The pair have shares in Boomtown Lass and watched the five-year-old mare finish third in the final race with about 30 friends from Townsville and the Sunshine Coast.
“It was an awesome day. The price for the food, drinks and service at the events centre was well worth it,” Mr Finn said.
“My wife and three kids got to the Gold Coast on Friday and will leave on Monday.
“We’ve been staying at the QT and enjoyed everything on offer there.
“My kids 10, eight and four, spent the day on Saturday with my sister who lives in Burleigh doing activities on the Coast.”
Animal rights activists were booted out of the turf club after sneaking in and staging a protest at one stage.
About a dozen protesters entered the track around 3.25pm wearing shirts reading “it’s their party and my future” with a picture of a horse on them.
They were booed by the crowd and escorted from the premises by police.
Among the VIP attendees was Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, one of the few people on the day seen wearing a face mask.
Ms Palaszczuk told Seven the Magic Millions “just gets better and better – this is a signature event for the Gold Coast, brings a lot of tourism.”
Also spotted was Gold Coast radio personality Emily Jade O’Keefe in her first public outing since announcing her separation from husband Gerard Murtagh.