Excitement building ahead of return to Gold Coast grass

By Glenn Davis

The Gold Coast Turf Club is set to celebrate the highly anticipated return to racing on its new grass track this Saturday.

The Gold Coast’s main track has been out of action since January, undergoing a rebuild as a part of the Gold Coast tracks and lights project.

As a result, the club’s meetings have been held on the all-weather Polytrack throughout 2023.

Trainers and jockeys gave the new track a big tick of approval after barrier trials on the new grass were held last month.

Officials have given the Gold Coast time to recover from Saturday’s reopening with its next scheduled grass meeting on January 6 when it hosts the $250,000 The Wave.

The famous Magic Millions Raceday will then take centre stage a week later on January 13.

Big nominations have been received for the first meeting back with 201 horses entered for the seven race program.

Local trainer Adam Campton has 14 entries for Saturday’s meeting.

“It’s great to be back on the grass and from all reports from jockeys it’s a great surface,” Campton said.

“Our horses have had a couple of gallops and trials on it and they all pulled up great.

“The club has done a great job and I think time has been the club’s best friend and it’s exciting to get back to the grass on Saturday.”

Campton has a big team of 48 horses in work at the Gold Coast and rates Pangaea as one of the stable’s best hopes.

Pangaea is dual nominated for the Class 2 Handicap over 1200 metres and Benchmark 62 Handicap over the same distance.

“Pangaea is a nice horse and definitely up to city class,” Campton said.

“He’s a big gelding and has just taken time to mature but he’s a pretty nice horse.”

Pangaea has only started four times and won his maiden on the Gold Coast Polytrack first-up on November 4 before a last start second in a 1050 metre Class 1 race at the Gold Coast two weeks later.

Trainer Less Kelly, who has won three Gold Coast trainer’s premierships, also has given a thumbs up to the grass track.

“I’ve had a couple of horses jump-out and the track is very impressive,” Kelly said.

“It’s looks terrific and I’m very impressed.”