Racing Queensland and the Gold Coast Turf Club has announced that racing will return to the Aquis Park course proper next month.
The Gold Coast Turf Club’s first meeting on the new racing surface will take place on Saturday, December 9, comprising of seven races with a limit of 12 horses per field.
The return to racing was confirmed after a series of positive track gallops and consultation with senior jockeys and trainers.
In the lead-up to the first meeting, the Club has this morning hosted a set of jump outs, with official barrier trials to follow on Monday, November 20.
GCTC CEO Steve Lines said it was exciting to be recommencing racing on the turf for the first time since The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday in January this year.
“The completion of the new course proper is the culmination of many years of planning and hard work from countless individuals as part of our masterplan,” Lines said.
“The club has successfully navigated through the challenges of what has been a major redevelopment, and the Polytrack has played an important role in allowing us to continue to operate every week over the past year.
“We thank Racing Queensland and the State Government for their support throughout the ongoing redevelopment.”
GCTC General Manager Racecourses Nevesh Ramdhani said the new turf was ready to be put to the test.
“The grass coverage throughout the course is very impressive and we have given the new turf many months to consolidate since it was first laid in May,” Ramdhani said.
“We have received positive feedback from various stakeholders, and we’re really pleased with how it is shaping up ahead of the return to racing.”
A return to racing comes as the Gold Coast tracks and lights project nears its completion.
The multi-phase project has seen the installation of an all-weather Polytrack, a refurbishment of the course proper and B Grass, installation of a new plough track, including extensive drainage and irrigation upgrades and the completion of an in-field tunnel.
Following the 2024 The Star Gold Coast Magic millions, sand grooving will also take place on the course proper, while state-of-the-art lighting will be completed in preparation for night racing in the new year.