This week the Gold Coast will come alive with one of the state?s most anticipated and glamorous annual events and the premier racing carnival of the summer, the Magic Millions Racing Carnival. Hosted by the Gold Coast Turf Club (GCTC), the major day of racing takes place this Saturday January 9 when the picturesque Gold Coast Racecourse holds one of Queensland?s most revered race meetings, the BMW Magic Millions Day.

The Magic Millions is one of the highlights on the Australian racing calendar alongside other major events like the Flemington Melbourne Cup Carnival. This year?s race day carries a very lucrative total prize purse of $4.6million and boasts a bumper ten-race programme highlighted by the first two events on the day, Queensland?s richest race the $2million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) and the $1million Magic Millions 3YO Trophy (1400m). In both events only horses purchased from previous Magic Millions Sales are qualified to contest.

The Magic Millions yearling sales that take place as part of the carnival and begin on Wednesday are some of the most integral in Australia, attracting the country?s leading trainers and the world?s highest profile buyers. Many of the yearlings bought and sold this week will continue on to become Australia?s best and highest earning gallopers, following in the footsteps of horses like 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, the gelding purchased at the Magic Millions for just over $46 000.

The official launch of the carnival and the final fields for Saturday will be announced tomorrow and published here on aflbettingtips.com.au .

Other highlights throughout the week in the lead-up to Saturday?s race day include the Paspaley Ladies High Tea on Thursday and Friday?s BMW Magic Millions Dinner.

Magic Millions Race Day Programme ? Saturday January 9:

Race #	Race Name	Distance	Prizemoney	Race Type
1	BMW Magic Millions 2YO Classic	1200m	$2 000 000	2YO Set Weights
2	Queensland Racing Magic Millions 3YO Trophy	1400m	$1 000 000	3YO Set Weights + Penalties
3	R.M. Williams Magic Millions Cup	1400m	$500 000	3YO & Up Quality Handicap
4	David Jones Magic Millions Sprint	1000m	$250 000	3YO & Up Quality Handicap
5	Johnnie Walker Magic Millions Stayers Cup	1800m	$250 000	3YO & Up Quality Handicap
6	Paspaley Magic Millions Fillies & Mares Handicap	1300m	$200 000	Fillies & Mares Quality Handicap
7	BMW “Grand Tourismo” Magic Millions Maiden Plate	1200m	$100 000	3YO & Up – Maiden – Set Weights
8	Sky Racing Magic Millions Class 6 Plate	1200m	$100 000	Class 6 Set Weights
9	Queensland Events Magic Millions 2YO Plate	1200m	$100 000	2YO Set Weights
10	HKROA Magic Millions Country Cup Handicap Special Cond.	1400m	$100 000	No Metro Wins, Special Conditions