Gold Coast Racecourse

Gold Coast Racecourse is on the Gold Coast Queensland about 5 minutes from Surfers Paradise.

Gold Coast Racecourse which is operated by the Gold Coast Turf Club has been in operation for over fifty years.

During this time the Gold Coast Racecourse and its facilities have grown into a large and versatile venue that offers some of the most exciting entertainment to be found in South East Queensland.

Racing on the Gold Coast dates back to the 1890's when an occasional public meeting was run in the old cane paddocks of Bundall, not far from the present Gold Coast Turf Club.

Regular racing at its present headquarters began on 15 May 1946 when the club was known as the Southport and District Amateur Race Club (formed on 17 March 1946). Racing in those days was on a sand track.

In January 1971, the club began conducting races every Saturday at the Gold Coast Racecourse.

In August of that year the Club launched the Newmarket-Gold Coast Cup three-day carnival on a quality grass track. Back then the race was sponsored by Carlton and United Breweries and carried prize money of just $2,000.

In 1974, the Prime Minister's Cup was launched, carrying Australia's richest purse for a provincial race of $30,000 and in 2002, the Prime Minister's Cup, then sponsored by Conrad Jupiters, became a stand-alone Saturday race meeting.

In 2006 a record crowd of over 7500 people attended at the Gold Coast Racecourse and witnessed the running of the Carlton Draught Prime Minister's Cup which included a record prize pool for the race day of $1.16 million.

Racecourse Details:

The Gold Coast Racecourse has a circumference of 1,885 metres with a straight 400 metres long. A good even track with sweeping turns making it a track for inside barriers and perhaps front runners.

The Gold Coast Racecourse has very short runs to the first turn from the 1000 metre and 1200 metre starts, and slightly longer runs for the 1300 metre and 1400 metre starts. All races at the course run clockwise.

Gold Coast Racing Carnival:

Gold Coast Racecourse is the venue for the Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival. The carnival takes place every January over 18 days in Queensland on the Gold Coast. The carnival attracts people from all over Australia and injects approx. $90 million into the state.

High profile buyers, owners and trainers from around the world attend the carnival and the yearling sales hoping to buy a future champion racehorse. An example of this is the Magic Millions 2YO classic winner Phelan Ready who went go on to win the world’s richest 2yo race, the Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill in 2009.

The 8 Race Program at the Gold Coast Racecourse January 2013

• Magic Millions 2yo Classic over 1200 metres worth $2,000,000
• Magic Millions 3yo Guineas over 1400 metres worth $1,000,000
• Magic Millions Cup over 1400 metres worth $500,000
• Magic Millions Sprint over 1000 worth $250,000
• Magic Millions Stayers Cup over 1800 metres worth $250,000
• Magic Millions Fillies and Mares Hcp over 1300 metres worth $200,000
• Magic Millions Maiden Plate over 1200 metres worth $100,000
• Magic Millions Class 6 Plate over 1200 metres worth $100,000

The Gold Coast turf club holds around 60 racing meetings per year including the Magic Millions Carnival held annually in January and also the Prime Minister's Cup, Gold Coast Guineas and the Hollindale Stakes, all held in early May.

The Gold Coast Racecourse is also home to one of Australia's largest training centres, with approximately 650 horses in work for some of South East Queensland's leading trainers.

Facilities At The Racecourse:

The Gold Coast Turf Club offers private, corporate and public dining options. Most of the dining and function rooms have fantastic views of the Surfers Paradise skyline. Facilities available are,

• Skyline Restaurant
• Turf Stars Terrace
• Skyline Mezzanine
• Numerous Function Rooms
• Prime Ministers Bar
• Public Bars, Bistros and Restaurants
• Large Bookmakers Ring
• Tab Facilities

Transport To The Racetrack:

By Bus. A free courtesy bus every Saturday, which travels from / to Tweed Heads through Surfers (and all stops in between). Also there is a FREE shuttle bus from the Gold Coast Turf Club to Titanium Bar every Saturday.

By Car. The racecourse is on the Gold Coast about 5 minutes from Surfers Paradise. Travelling on Ashmore Road, turn right into Racecourse Drive and head all the way down the end. The Club has ample parking for both the general public and its members.

Contact:

GOLD COAST RACECOURSE
Racecourse Drive
Surfers Paradise
QLD 4217
PO Box 570
GCMC
QLD 9726
PH: 07 5538 1599
Email: [email protected]

Find below all the Group Races held at Ascot Racecourse during the season.

Gold Coast Racecourse Barrier Guide

• 1000 metres: Starts at the end of a chute off the course proper giving runners only a short run before sweeping turns to the home straight. Inside barrier draws are a great advantage here.

• 1200 metres: This start is off the course proper down a chute. Runners drawn out wide are of a disadvantage.

• 1300 metres: This barrier is situated on the course proper, with a run of about 200 metres to the sweeping double turn. Inside barriers have the advantage.

• 1400 metres: Starts just on the course proper and there is a straight run for 400 metres to the first turn. Inside barrier draws have a slight advantage.

• 1800 metres: Located just of the course proper in a chute. Inside barriers are favoured.

• 2200 metres: Same as the 1800 metre barriers.

• 2400 metres: Because of the distance of the race runners have time to find a good position in running. Inside barriers are of slight importance.