THERE was drama, controversy, glamour and a big crowd as the Gold Coast celebrated at the Turf Club on Magic Millions Race Day.
GCTC chief executive Grant Sheather was delighted with the crowd of just under 17,000 which frocked up and forked out on a bumper day's racing that had it all.
"We had just under 17,000 through the gates," he said.
"That's up significantly from last year but we have to balance that against the floods that occurred in Brisbane this time last year.
"Everyone had their eyes and minds focused on that.
"We expected an increase and we did market it significantly but to get just under 17,000 is a very large figure and vindicates the State Government's decision to fund an upgrade for the facility."
The day had something for everyone.
For racing fans there were controversial scenes after the Gai Waterhouse-trained Driefontein won the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic from stablemate No Looking Back on a protest.
Waterhouse claimed the quinella as No Looking Back held off favourite Driefontein by half a length in the 1200m feature but the connections of Driefontein lodged a protest and it was upheld after a lengthy deliberation.
Stewards said No Looking Back shifted out five horses in the concluding stages and were convinced it cost Driefontein the race.
The decision gave jockey Tommy Berry his second straight Magic Millions win after he guided Karuta Queen to victory in Queensland's richest race last year.
It was Waterhouse's fourth win and the second time she has claimed the quinella after last doing the feat with Excellerator and Miss Bussell in 2001.
It was the first protest in Magic Millions history and is sure to generate some debate.
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