THANKS A MILLION, GC

TODAY’S Magic Millions $10 million race day is the culmination of one pretty special week on the Gold Coast.

Having taken off in earnest in the past decade, the event has grown to become one of the biggest racing festivals on the national and international calendar, with a who’s who of racing descending on the Glitter Strip in search of the next Winx or party. No longer is it just a sales event, although that in itself continues to break records with about $170 million generated across the past week.

Under the vision of Katie Page-Harvey and Gerry Harvey, each year Magic Millions ticks another box.

From celebrating and encouraging female participation through Katie’s innovative women-only bonuses, which now include $500,000 for today’s marquee 2YO Classic, to turning a polo day into one of the must-attend events on an alreadypacked calendar, this year the Magic Millions “family’’ got behind the hundreds of families affected by the cruel bushfires that have swept across the country.

That family is not just represented by racing identities, owners and trainers, but Gold Coasters who each year embrace the event. By tonight’s conclusion, it is tipped almost $1 million would have been raised to assist bushfire victims.

Of course, thousands of Australians have generously donated to help families, firefighters and towns get back on their feet. But as we have seen time and again, Gold Coasters have come to the fore to do what they can. And that’s pretty special.