One of Australia's most loved racehorses, Subzero, will be recognised as part of the TAB Queensland Summer Racing Carnival.
Earlier today, Racing Queensland released this year’s Summer Carnival, which will feature 19 black-type races and almost $20 million in prize money and bonuses.
Having passed away last month, Subzero, the 1992 Melbourne Cup winner who ran his final race in the Sunshine State before capturing the heart of the nation for his post-racing activities, will see the $1 million Magic Millions Trophy (2400m) renamed in his honour.
To be run on The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday on January 16, the ‘Magic Millions Subzero’ will provide a thrilling finale to this year’s Summer Carnival as part of Queensland’s richest raceday.
“The TAB Queensland Summer Racing Carnival continues to go from strength to strength,” Racing Queensland CEO Brendan Parnell said.
“With 31 feature races, including the $10.25 million The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday, the eyes of the nation will be on Queensland this summer.
“We are looking forward to showcasing everything that is great about Queensland racing, and at the same time, honouring the feats of Subbie who will be dearly missed.”
Purchased at the 1990 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Hall of Fame trainer Lee Freedman, Subzero went on to win more than $2 million in stakes including the South Australia Derby and Adelaide Cup.
The ‘Magic Millions Subzero’ will sit alongside the ‘Magic Millions Snippets’ as the latest race to honour a legendary Magic Millions sales graduate.
Magic Millions CEO MD Barry Bowditch said the organisation was thrilled that their offer to honour Subzero in this manner was accepted.
“Subzero transcended racing,” Mr Bowditch said.
“He was a thoroughbred the entire country loved and admired for what he brought to the community off the track.
It’s fitting that a million-dollar feature staying race in Queensland pays homage to Subzero – the people’s horse whose racetrack journey to becoming a Melbourne Cup winner began in our Gold Coast sales ring.”
Building upon the success of last year’s Summer Carnival, the 2020/21 edition will commence on the Sunshine Coast with the Mooloolaba Cup on November 21 before relocating to Brisbane for six action-packed weeks at Doomben and Eagle Farm.
A refreshed two-year-old programme will include the Doomben Plate (November 28); Calaway Girl and Phelan Ready (December 12); and the BJ McLachlan Stakes (December 26) prior to the New Year.
The three-year-old features will once again include the Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes, while The Gateway returns for four-year-olds and will continue to offer a ballot-free exemption into the Stradbroke Handicap.
Brisbane Racing Club CEO Tony Partridge said the Doomben and Eagle Farm meetings stretched from early December into the New Year with the all-important running of the wildcard races ahead of The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions.
"We have a great program of races across both Doomben and Eagle Farm highlighted by The Gateway for four-year-olds which guarantees the winner the first entry into The Stradbroke,” Mr Partridge said.
“Last year’s winner Vega One’s effort to come from back in the field to run fourth in the Stradbroke was full of merit.
"Our Members' Super Saturday after Christmas falls on Boxing Day this year and will feature some great races including the Grand Prix which is now held in Summer, as well at the BJ McLachlan for two-year-olds which has been won by some great horses including Snitzel and last year King’s Legacy.
“We’re racing into the New Year for the first time and we’ve designed a great day to complement the racing out so it’s no surprise Summer is growing in popularity as a time to head to the track.”
Staged under weight-for-age conditions for three and four-year-old horses over 1800m, The Wave will headline Aquis Raceday and will offer the winner a wildcard into the Magic Millions Subzero and a $200,000 Magic Millions bonus if nominated to its Race Series.
Having divided the QTIS 2YO Handicap last year, the Aquis Gold Nugget and Aquis Gold Pearl will once again provide the final opportunities for those seeking a berth in the $2 million The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
“We look forward to Aquis Raceday which is now firmly entrenched on the Summer Racing calendar,” Gold Coast Turf Club CEO Steve Lines said.
“In its inaugural year, the Aquis Raceday was a massive success and the culmination of the Aquis Pearl, Aquis Nugget, the TAB Wave with the Magic Millions lead up races definitely give it the feature raceday recognition that it deserves.
“It’s a fantastic and first-class lead into Queensland’s biggest race day – Magic Millions.”
Click here to see the full programme for the 2020/21 TAB Queensland Summer Racing Carnival.