Storms delay 2025 Magic Millions, Rescheduled for Friday night
The Magic Millions Carnival, one of Australia’s premier racing events, has officially been rescheduled to Friday night at the Gold Coast after ongoing storms and extreme weather conditions forced a delay earlier in the week.
Organisers made the announcement following a thorough assessment of the Gold Coast track, which had been rendered unsuitable for racing due to persistent rain and surface water. The decision to postpone the event was made to prioritise the safety of horses, jockeys, and attendees.
Chief steward Josh Adams explained the initial postponement:
“There is surface water throughout the track, but if that weather band does pass, we may have time for that water to run off. We’ll reassess, speak to the riding group, and give them our feedback on what we’ve seen.”
Concerns arose from a new section of turf that had been recently laid after a portion of the track was poisoned.
According to jockey Tommy Berry:
“At the start of the day, that new section of the track took an extra hour to drain compared to the rest. Even if the majority of the track dries, that area will need more time because it doesn’t have the same sand profile.”
Berry also noted the efforts of organisers and the unique challenges presented by the weather:
“Unfortunately, we’re in an outdoor sport, and this is something we’ve had to deal with quite often here at Magic Millions. But with the option of racing under lights later in the week, we’re hopeful for a better outcome.”
Kyle Wilson-Taylor, reflecting on conditions before the rain intensified, said:
“Yeah, look, before the rain, the track was racing really well and very fairly. But now, with the amount of water, it’s borderline at best. We’ve got lights now, so hopefully the surface will drain quickly, and we can press on.”
The delay impacted several key events, including the $3 million 2YO Classic and $3 million 3YO Guineas.
For trainer Annabel Neasham, the rescheduling is a welcome change:
“For me, Friday night would be preferable. Maybe they could even redo the barriers, but the last thing we want is to try again and face more rain. The club has done such an amazing job putting this on, and it’s great that we have options.”
Adams confirmed the revised schedule, expressing confidence in the track’s recovery:
“With the forecast looking clear for Friday night, we’re confident the surface will be ready for racing. We’ll continue to monitor conditions closely but are optimistic about proceeding as planned.”
Magic Millions fans eagerly await Friday’s showcase, with organisers assuring a fair and safe event under the Gold Coast’s lights.
All final field bets will be refunded with all the top horse racing bookmakers; however, the futures bet will stand.
Horsebetting will provide further updates as preparations continue for Friday’s showcase.
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