As a long-term proud sponsor of the Listed Silk Stocking race for fillies and mares traditionally held on Hollindale Stakes Day, Attwood Marshall Lawyers are gearing up for a great day trackside on Saturday 6th May at Sunshine Coast Turf Club. Attwood Marshall Lawyers Legal Practice Director and racehorse breeder and owner, Jeff Garrett, explains why the firm continues to sponsor this exciting event and gives his top tips for the day.
Coast to Coast Race Day and the Listed Silk Stocking Race
The Coast to Coast Race Day on Saturday 6th May is a feature racing event of the Queensland Winter Carnival, which takes place from 29th April to 1st July 2023. This Race Day usually takes place at Gold Coast’s Aquis Park and has previously been known as the Prime Minister’s Cup Day or the Gold Coast Cup. It is now known as the Hollindale Stakes Day after the feature Group 2 race of the day. However, the day has undergone a venue change, with the nine-card race meeting heading north to the Sunshine Coast while the Gold Coast Turf Club continues to undergo its $63 million redevelopment. The GCTC members and officials will be out in force on Saturday for the big race day, with many choosing to stay on the Sunshine Coast for the weekend to attend this historical feature GCTC race day feature.
Attwood Marshall Lawyers are proud to be a long-term sponsor of the Silk Stocking Race, having initially sponsored this event some 16 years ago.
The Silk Stocking is a listed race for fillies and mares, with horses running the 1300m distance to compete for a share of $160,000 in prizemoney. The main aim for the connections in the race is to obtain the elusive ‘black type’ which comes from winning or placing in a listed stakes race. A ‘black type’ entry in a mare’s pedigree has very positive implications for the mare as a future breeding proposition and improves the value of not only that mare, but the immediate family as well. The mother, siblings, half-siblings, and even the extended family of the ‘black type’ mare are immediately upgraded by the black type entry in the pedigree, so it is a very sought after race and attracts all the top trainers.
As a long-term owner and breeder, we would love to win a Silk Stocking on our home turf one day with one of our babies!
The headline race for the day is the $500,000 TAB A.D. Hollindale Stakes, which is a Group 2 race run over 1800m, for horses aged 3-years and older. The race is approaching Group 1 status with a prior winners list boasting champions such as Melbourne and Caulfield Cup winner Might and Power, who won the race by six lengths in a canter in 1998. All eyes will be on Zaaki, who has won the last 2 runnings of the race. Can he make it three in a row? The quality of the race is strong again this year, although perhaps a little down on previous years and Zaaki will not have it all his own way, with form Group 1 winner Atishu a worthy challenger. Perhaps former champ Kolding may turn his recent indifferent form to an upset win. Both these Waller trained horses are capable of rolling the $1.60 short priced favourite in Zaaki, although he is a deserved favourite and will be hard to beat.
With clear skies predicted for the day, it is expected that the Sunshine Coast will provide the optimal backdrop for this exciting event.
If you are unable to be trackside, there are multiple ways to watch the action, including on Channel 7, Sky Racing 1, Sky Racing 2, and Sky Thoroughbred Central, or by streaming Sky Racing through a TAB or Sportsbet account.
We wish all runners good luck as they prepare for the day!
Tips for punters – Silk Stocking
It looks to be an open betting race outside the top weight and favourite, Tycoon Evie, the daughter of Written Tycoon trained by the Snowden camp with champion jockey J-Mack aboard. If you are turned off the $2.80 price, perhaps include Katalin (6), Ocean Treaty (7) and Dundeel mare Miss Einstein (15) in a box trifecta/quinella with the favourite. I’ll be having something each way on the 7 and 15! The Dundeel progeny have been on fire lately, as have the Ocean Park babies. The big Caloundra track and the 1300 distance will suit these mares by staying sires and hopefully they will be running on at the finish.
What’s the latest with the Gold Coast Turf Club Upgrade?
The Gold Coast Turf Club is currently in stage 2 of its upgrade, beginning refurbishment of the course proper.
The refurbishment will include:
- Retaining the Kikuyu grass and profile
- Installation of the new irrigation system
- Installation of slit drainage and sand grooving
- Removal of crown in the home straight.
Stage 2 will also see the completion of lighting for night racing.
The redevelopment, which kicked off late last year, is set to put the Gold Coast Turf Club on the map as a world-class facility, bringing job and commercial opportunities, as well as establishing the Gold Coast as a premiere racing destination.
With the first night races set to take off early in 2024, it is an exciting time for the Gold Coast tourism industry, racing enthusiasts, and locals alike.
Despite the Coast to Coast Race Day taking place at the Sunshine Coast, there are plenty of upcoming events still being held at the Gold Coast Turf Club that locals can enjoy, as the excitement builds for the completion of the upgrade.
Attwood Marshall Lawyers – Experts in Equine and Racing Law
As one of the few law firms that practices in the niche field of Equine and Racing Law, Attwood Marshall Lawyers have a dedicated team who understand the industry and ins-and-outs of owning a racehorse.
Our senior lawyers are heavily involved with the racing sector and have hands on experience in breeding and owning thoroughbred horses.
Whether you need assistance with stallion and racehorse syndications, appeals for jockeys and trainers, business structuring advice, taxation advice and ATO industry audits, or are involved in a horse ownership contract dispute, we can help.
If you have a thoroughbred breeding, racing or equine law enquiry, please contact our Equine Law Department Manager, Amanda Heather, on direct line 07 5506 8245, email aheather@attwoodmarshall.com.au or free call 1800 621 071 at any time.
Our expert Equine and Racing Law team are available for appointments at all our office locations, at Coolangatta, Robina, Southport, Kingscliff, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
