THE SUNSHINE COAST NEWSPAPER COLUMN: TIME FOR A SEA CHANGE. WHY NOT? RACING'S TAKING ONE

By Graham Potter | Sunday, January 1, 2017

Graham Potter writes a weekly column for the Sunshine Coast daily. Due to demand from those having trouble accessing the paper these columns are now also published on HRO courtesy of the Sunshine Coast daily.

It is an unusual time of year on the racing calendar in that Brisbane will only host one Saturday meeting throughout January.

Gold Coast steps up to take on the first two Saturdays in the New Year, including the mega Magic Millions race-day on January 14. Brisbane has its sole January Saturday meeting the following week and then the Sunshine Coast will take centre stage on January 28 featuring the $100 000 Sunshine Coast Cup Quality Handicap.

So the month of January does represent a great opportunity for beach / sun worshippers and racing pundits to combine their pleasures with a visit to either coast for a fine ‘surf and turf’ experience.

The core Gold Coast action will centre on the Magic Millions race-day and Yearling Sale, which runs from January 11 through to January 17.

It is a high end racing and social event franked by a cast of international and local celebrities who are brought in to enhance the grandeur of the occasion.

The sales ring action will see some individual horses sold for over a $1 million (last year’s sales aggregate was well over $100 million) while on the track on the big day horses and riders will strain every muscle in their chase for a share of the $10 million on offer in prize-money.

It is a big, bright, glittering occasion.

For those wanting a slightly quieter day at the races the Gold Coast does have five race-days in January so you can always find one to fit your mood.

The Sunshine Coast will be as active but in a less pronounced way which will give those who prefer not to be surrounded by the crush of fame some comfortable breathing space.

The Sunshine Coast Turf Club race on no less than six occasions in January ... tomorrow (Sunday January 1), Wednesday January 4, Sunday January 8, Sunday January 15, Sunday January 22 and the feature race day, Saturday January 28.

Again, plenty of opportunity there to embrace summertime, enjoy a coastal visit, have some downtime, some socialising and a good afternoon’s racing to take the stress out of life for a bit.

Seems like an ideal way to recharge the batteries!