3 minute read
Today saw the last day of The TABtouch Masters at Ascot Racecourse with the running of the Southern Hemisphere’s richest Group One race over 1,800 metres, the $1M Magic Millions-Kingston Town Classic.
It was the perfect end to the fourth year of The TABtouch Masters, featuring standout racing action, brilliant summer weather, entertainment and hospitality.
The Magic Millions-Kingston Town Classic featured a highly competitive field, studded with the top guns of racing. Horses from top stables like Godolphin, Peters Investments, Lindsey Smith Racing Stables and Parnham Racing Stables competed alongside leading jockeys Damien Oliver, William Pike and Brad Rawiller.
In a thrilling finish, Steven Parnham aboard Kay Cee trained by father Neville Parnham, secured the win of the $1,000,000 Magic Millions-Kingston Town Classic. Gailo Chop secured second, and third was Best of Days.
Horsepower was the theme of the day with Brett Honey driving away in a brand new Nissan 370Z sports car valued at $64,000 as part of the TABtouch Masters Pass competition. The Kalgoorlie-born, Perth-bred university student and punter was thrilled to have won the prize, and said it was a great upgrade his current blue Hyundai i30 named 'Winx'.
Perth Racing Managing Director, Professor John Yovich AM, said, "Crowd numbers at the TABtouch Masters have exceeded expectations. More than 22,500 guests have joined us here in Perth at Ascot Racecourse over the three days, thanks to the fantastic quality of racing talent as well as the attractions on offer, live entertainment, bars and dining options."
"There's a sense of excitement in the air that can only be attributed to the Spring Racing Carnival here in Perth. From the thrill of a bet on the horses, to a refreshing beverage, to the fashions and the tunes on course with mates – it is a festival of racing and entertainment," he added.
"We still have plenty of festive entertainment planned before the end of 2019. We are inviting guests to celebrate the silly season will us at Ascot's Biggest Christmas Party on 14 December, featuring the Towton Cup as well as Twilight Christmas Dinners in our fine dining restaurant, Flying Colours at our midweek events on 11 and 18 December."
"We are having another of our popular family days on Saturday, 21 December with plenty of free activities for the whole family, including pony rides, bouncy castles, water slides, face painting and more," he concluded.
The next key raceday on the Ascot Racing Carnival calendar is TABtouch Perth Cup Day on Saturday, 4 January when Perth Racing is bringing back a crowd favourite, Tentland - reimagined with a classy twist. Guests will enjoy the nostalgia of Tentland with plenty of 80s throwbacks, along with all-day entertainment, themed precincts, pop-up food stations in an all-inclusive trackside location. Plus, an exclusive performance by the band Furnace and the Fundamentals before they perform to the entire Perth Cup crowd from the Mounting Yard after the last race. It will be the party of the summer, complete with inflatables, glitter beach balls, confetti bombs and T-shirt cannons.
There's even a "money-can't-buy-experience" with Champagne Oasis returning and boasting stunning views and free-flowing Mumm Champagne to compliment delicious canapes and pop-up food stations all day long. If Champagne Oasis isn't for you, there are other inclusive options, including Enclosure On The Deck, Flying Colours Restaurant and The Terrace Restaurant.
Interesting facts about the Magic Millions-Kingston Town Classic
- The first Kingston Town Classic, then called Marlboro 50,000, was run in 1976 and was won by Family of Man.
- It became a Group One race in 1979.
- It was renamed Kingston Town Classic in 2007, after the Hall of Fame inductee and 1982 race winner, Kingston Town.
- In 2015 the prizemoney was increased to $1 million.
- Mares have only won the race three times
- Horses that have won the Railway Stakes/Kingston Town Classic double include Better Loosen Up, Old Comrade, Modem and Sniper's Bullet.
- Notable winners include: Arcadia Queen (2018), Stratum Star (2016), Perfect Reflection (2015), Moriarty (2014), Luckygray (2012), Playing God (2010,2011), Sniper's Bullet (2009), Niconero (2006/2008), Modem (2004), Old Comrade (2000/2001), Summer Beau (1996/1997), Old Role (1991), Better Loosen Up (1989), Vo Rogue (1988), Military Plume (1986), Bounty Hawk (1983), Kingston Town (1982), Sovereign Red (1980), Mighty Kingdom (1979) and Family of Man (1976/1978).
Ascot Racing Carnival Fast Facts:
On average, the restaurants, bars and trackside marquees serve:
- More than 4,500 bottles of champagne
- Over 550 dozen fresh oysters are shucked
- More than 9,000 gourmet meals are prepared and served
- Perth Racing employs over 1,000 employees
What's new for Carnival
- Byron Bay Beer Garden as Ascot - no need to catch a plane to experience one of Australia's most iconic beach destinations, just come to Ascot Racecourse.
- Family days, monthly at Ascot with loads of free activities for the kids, including pony rides, bouncy castles, face painting, stilt walkers and more. Children under 18 years are free (when accompanied with an adult). Upcoming dates are 21 December and 18 January.
- Ice Creamery serving up deliciously cold ice cream cones.
- EqWine Bar serving a range of Seppelt wines in a glamourous setting.
- Gordon's Pink Gin Pop-up bar.
- For the first time racegoers can purchase a $50 Masters Pass for entry to all three days of The TABtouch Masters. Plus, you will automatically go in the draw to win a new Nissan 370Z sports car, drawn on Magic Millions Kingston Town Classic Day on 7 December.
- Ascot's Biggest Christmas party on Saturday, 14 December – all-inclusive function, perfect for corporate Christmas parties with live entertainment and festive theming.
- TENTLAND Reimangined on TABtouch Perth Cup Day on 4 January (see details below).
Fan-favourite aspects of Ascot
- Fine dining at Flying Colours Restaurant overlooking the race track with each table featuring your own screen. Serves the best of WA's produce.
- Delicious buffet restaurant at The Terrace.
- Ascot Racecourse has over 15 bars, including the Stone Motherless Bar, Gin Parlour, Mumm Chandelier Bar and Kirin Pavilion Bar.
UPCOMING: TABtouch Perth Cup Day - 4 January
- Includes feature races the Group Two TABtouch-Perth Cup and the Group Three LA Trice Classic.
- Champagne Oasis has free-flowing Mumm Champagne in our air-conditioned double-story marquee. Tickets from $225.
- A highlight is TENTLAND Reimagined. We're bringing back the fun and nostalgia of Perth Cup Day's most loved event and giving it a classy twist, including an exclusive performance by popular cover band, Furnace and the Fundamentals.
- The best way to celebrate the start of 2020.
- Entertainment - Furnace and the Fundamentals carving up the tunes for racegoers after the last.
EDITORS NOTES
Ascot Racing Carnival Fast Facts:
On average, the restaurants, bars and trackside marquees serve:
- More than 4,500 bottles of champagne
- Over 550 dozen fresh oysters are shucked
- More than 9,000 gourmet meals are prepared and served
- Perth Racing employs over 1,000 employees
What's new for Carnival
- Byron Bay Beer Garden as Ascot - no need to catch a plane to experience one of Australia's most iconic beach destinations, just come to Ascot Racecourse.
- Family days, monthly at Ascot with loads of free activities for the kids, including pony rides, bouncy castles, face painting, stilt walkers and more. Children under 18 years are free (when accompanied with an adult). Upcoming dates are 9 November, 21 December and 18 January.
- Ice Creamery serving up deliciously cold ice cream cones.
- EqWine Bar serving a range of Seppelt wines in a glamourous setting.
- Gordon's Pink Gin Pop-up bar.
- For the first time racegoers can purchase a $50 Masters Pass for entry to all three days of The TABtouch Masters. Plus, you will automatically go in the draw to win a new Nissan 370Z sports car, drawn on Magic Millions Kingston Town Classic Day on 7 December.
- Ascot's Biggest Christmas party on Saturday, 14 December – all-inclusive function, perfect for corporate Christmas parties with live entertainment and festive theming.
- TENTLAND Reimangined on TABtouch Perth Cup Day on 4 January (see details below).
Fan-favourite aspects of Ascot
- Fine dining at Flying Colours Restaurant overlooking the race track with each table featuring your own screen. Serves the best of WA's produce.
- Delicious buffet restaurant at The Terrace.
- Ascot Racecourse has over 15 bars, including the Stone Motherless Bar, Gin Parlour, Mumm Chandelier Bar and Kirin Pavilion Bar.
Upcoming key dates and races
Magic Millions Kingston Town Classic Day - 7 December
- Last day of The TABtouch Masters and is lads day at the races.
- Feature races include the $1M Group One Magic Millions-Kingston Town Classic (southern hemisphere's richest Group One race over 1,800 metres and named after the legendary three-time WS Cox Plate winner, Kingston Town) and the Group Three AJ Scahill Stakes.
- Includes the brand new event, TABtouch Punters Club, where groups of five will compete for thousands of dollars of prizes.
TABtouch Perth Cup Day - 4 January
- Includes feature races the Group Two TABtouch-Perth Cup and the Group Three LA Trice Classic.
- Champagne Oasis has free-flowing Mumm Champagne in our air-conditioned double-story marquee. Tickets from $225.
- A highlight is TENTLAND Reimagined. We're bringing back the fun and nostalgia of Perth Cup Day's most loved event and giving it a classy twist, including an exclusive performance by popular cover band, Furnace and the Fundamentals.
- The best way to celebrate the start of 2020.
- Entertainment will be Furnace and the Fundamentals carving up the tunes for all racegoers after the last race.
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