THE Gold Coast Turf Club has announced major sponsorship changes to the first two days of the 2004 Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions Racing Carnival (3rd - 10th January).

The first day of the Carnival (Saturday 3rd January) will be known as the H Harvey Smash Repairs Gold Coast Stakes and Glades Magic 2YO Raceday with prizemoney in excess of $200,000 on offer.

The Gold Coast Stakes which is a listed event has in the past been held on Day 3 of the Carnival and run over 1400 metres.

It will be run over 1300 metres in 2004.

The traditional 'Ladies Day' of the Carnival - the Silk Stocking Raceday - will be run on Wednesday 7th January and will be known as The Penny Ridge Resort Silk Stocking Race Day.

Gold Coast Turf Club Chairman, Bill Millican, welcomed the enhanced support of H.Harvey Smash Repairs and the new Penny Ridge Resort sponsorship.

"Reflective of the growing status of the Carnival is the increased backing we are getting each year from the Gold Coast corporate sector," Mr Millican said.

"The 2004 Carnival is looking bigger and better than ever with preparations well underway for some absolutely breathtaking on and off-track events.

"And each and every event is being designed to involve the Gold Coast community and put out the welcome mat to our interstate and overseas visitors like never before," he said.

Mr Millican said, while event programming details would be released shortly after Melbourne Cup, people wishing to book for the 2004 Carnival's on-track functions should 'get in quick'.

"The bookings are already coming in at a steady rate for all three days, so people shouldn't drag their feet.

"Mark my words, 2004 will be something very special and it would be a shame for anyone to miss out," he said.

Bookings can be made by calling the Gold Coast Turf Club on (07) 5538 1599.

The Gold Coast Turf Club has announced a 'top flight' new naming-rights sponsor for the 2004 Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions Racing Carnival feature day Fashions On The Field (Saturday 10th January).

Emirates Airlines will join long-time supporter Ambassador Travel to provide two return Business Class tickets to the Dubai World Cup in March next year to the lucky Classic Racewear winner.

They'll enjoy accommodation at the plush Marriott Hotel in Dubai and reserved grandstand seating at the World Cup before heading over to Paris for two nights of splendour at the luxurious Sofitel Hotel.

Fashions On The Field will also feature judging in the categories of Contemporary Racewear and Best Hat.

Turf Club Chairman, Bill Millican, said the club has already fielded 'dozens of calls from interstate'.

"The word is already out about Fashions On The Field and we can expect a bit of an interstate assault from what I hear," Mr Millican said.

"Already the fashion stores here and further afield are reporting brisk pre-Christmas sales and I'm tipping that the fashions in January will equal, quite possibly surpass, anything Melbourne sees at its Spring Racing Carnival," he said.

Mr Millican said fashion parades and contests would also be held on the first and second days of the three-day carnival - the H.Harvey Smash Repairs Gold Coast Stakes and Glades Magic 2YO Raceday (Saturday 3rd January) and the Penny Ridge Resort Silk Stocking Raceday (Wednesday 7th January).

Emirates Airlines, based in Dubai, is one of the fastest growing airlines in the world.

It now flies into Brisbane and operates to 71 destinations in 50 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Sub-continent and the Asia-Pacific region.

Since October it has been operating non-stop flights to Sydney.

As an indicator to its future growth, Emirates earlier this year announced the biggest order in airline history at the Paris Air Show. That order saw 29 ultra long Airbus 340 series jets joining the fleet, in addition to 26 new Boeing 777's.

The airline is already operating with 50 aircraft including B777's, A330's and A310's.

People wanting further details on the 2004 Emirates Airlines - Ambassador Travel Fashions On The Field or any of the 2004 Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions activities can call the Turf Club on 5538 1599.