Aggressive marketing for the Queensland summer racing carnival has officials expecting a record Magic Millions day crowd at the Gold Coast.
Queensland has taken a leaf out of NSW’s play book with some big money races and an upbeat advertising campaign for its summer carnival.
Gold Coast Turf Club chief executive Steve Lines said Magic Millions day corporate sales and pre-paid walk-ups indicated a crowd of at least 22,000 on Saturday.
“The buzz is good and a crowd of 25,000 is not beyond our expectations,” Lines said.
“The Brisbane part of the summer has created a lot of interest in the Millions meeting.
“We have both tried to get the message out that top class racing can be a fun day.”
The Brisbane section of the summer carnival drew total crowds of more than 40,000, well up on previous carnivals.
Brisbane Race Club chairman Neville Bell said the club and Racing Queensland had tried to get the message to the general community that there were some top class race meetings in November and December.
“A good example was our last meeting at Eagle Farm (December 28) which is usually quiet because it is between Christmas and New Year,” Bell said.
“But we got 5000 plus to the meeting which was the best since we started keeping records this century.
“The days of massive race crowds might be a thing of the past but we have been able to claw some ground back.
“It should reflected in the betting turnover figures when they are available.”
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