THE Gold Coast Turf Club needs lavish, Flemington-style members’ and public facilities as a priority when the $75 million racecourse upgrade begins next year, according to a leading columnist with the daily newspaper on the tourist strip, the GC Bulletin.

Peter Cameron, once a leading and controversial racing writer for the Brisbane Courier and Sunday Mail, is winding down his journalistic career on the Gold Coast but in the eyes of many in the industry remains the ‘spin doctor’ for Queensland Racing chairman, Bob Bentley.

We have reproduced the Cameron column courtesy of News Limited and the Gold Coast Bulletin. It reads:

‘More than $35 million will be set aside for revamping racing, training and other equine facilities before the 2012 Magic Millions carnival. Even a new car tunnel from Upton Street is on the cards to improve racecourse vehicle access.

The 2010 model MM-carnival highlighted the need for a makeover of grandstand and entertainment areas. A need to recreate a MM-atmosphere which is not strictly glam and grog. A need to entice back the racegoers who fled the MM-day bunfight in the late '80s or early '90s.

The Gold Coast Turf Club is unlikely to secure gala race dates much longer without the reconstruction.

The scene in the public bar closest to the members' car park late in the afternoon was more like the Roma picnic races than one of Australia's keynote thorough bred events.

There is little enjoyment when racegoers are hot and packed in like sardines -- downstairs, upstairs, members or public; unable to hear the audio despite new plasma screens.

To be frank, there is little in Queensland racing -- apart from the horses -- which would remind anyone of showplaces such as Flemington.

Queensland's former racing headquarters, Eagle Farm, despite its grand racing circuit, was almost falling to bits until modernisation began in recent years. Doomben is planning new bars, parade rings etc but the $2 million budget is chaff compared with what is being offered to the Gold Coast Turf Club.

Luckily the Gold Coast did not miss the Government-funding boat entirely in previous Treasury voyages. Skilled Park is an ultra-modern rugby league arena and Carrara should be brand-spanking for Gold Coast and the AFL some time next year.

A you-beaut thoroughbred track at Bundall would complete the Gold Coast set of hippodromes. Time for the dedicated (and successful) Gold Coast racing fraternity to enjoy their bite of the Government cherries.

If another $35 million (or more) was available for the Gold Coast Turf Club then the grotty betting ring and public bars could finally keep their appointment with the bulldozers. Members' facilities on the top floor are desperate for better escalator access. Compare them with the upstairs betting auditorium in the members' area at Flemington.

Remember that Flemington can cater for 125,000 and the Gold Coast will not have to accommodate more than 30,000 racegoers. A total of $35 million in public areas will go a long way.

GCTC itself cannot be expected to finance a project which has national racing significance and the imprimatur of the Government-backed Queensland Events Corporation.

Treasurer Andrew Fraser agreed.

"We have identified the need to redevelop the industry's ageing infrastructure to usher in a new era of racing -- something the industry cannot achieve on its own," said Mr Fraser.

New entertainment facilities centred on the Turf Club grandstand also would ensure that the racecourse could attract more revenue from non-race day functions.

A European-style champagne bar -- hopefully without the Flemington grog prices -- would give Gold Coast racing and the Magic Millions the up-market image they deserve. Flemington could also provide a model for lawn entertainment areas including bars and food outlets.

Planning is crucial.

If the GCTC, MM management and Queensland Racing board sign the deal, reconstruction will not start until after the MM carnival next year. Works would have to be complete in time for the 2012 carnival. So far, only hydrology studies are available.

The Flemington comparison is relevant with Melbourne always on the lookout to pinch successful interstate events.

But as John Singleton conceded: "Not one of us (Magic Millions, Queensland Racing Board etc) wants to move."

Singleton was blunt on Sky Racing television on Sunday that MM sales facilities could not be marked for their own multimillion-dollar makeover until the racecourse deal was confirmed.

Like everybody else, Singleton and his MM partners want to hear the bulldozers revving into the reconstruction.

It's a merry-go-round. GCTC are hanging out for the best deal, the wary MM boys are holding back and the QEC/QR brains trust have to try to drag all parties to the altar.

First step to securing the tax relief funding will be legislating a new QR board structure with reps from dog and harness racing.

The previous MM contract with QEC and Gold Coast has run its race. The tax relief package for racing was in negotiations for months before a recent breakthrough and the QEC round-table summit last Friday.

New Government expenditure guidelines are likely to require the creation of a Gold Coast Racecourse Trust to oversee the $75 million reconstruction. The tax cuts on racing will provide more than $80 million over four years to help fund the project and any borrowings.

If the GCTC played its cards keenly, it could finish with the entire upgrade for free and partnership in the new trust -- and pay only nominal rent for its facilities.

The Trust would be responsible for ongoing costs of maintenance of racing and training tracks, stabling, swimming pools etc.

Racegoers see a different side of the thoroughbred business. If it has to be seen through a glass then it should be a shiny glass making Queensland proud. The Gold Coast members will have to wait a long time to find another deal like this.

The column provoked this immediate response from reader George Catell to the newspaper:

"Everyone on the Coast would like better facilities for the Turf Club. But if this was private enterprise to sell off all that freehold land unencumbered would never be considered. In your own words they would be in a trust partnership paying rent, I (don’t know how this is considered again in your words FREE). Let all the facts out and if you want your say pay your money and become a member like everyone else."

We at letsgohorseracing invite you to express your response to the Gold Coast Bulletin columnists’ suggestions to this web-site. From responses over the last week Magic Millions remains a hot topic.

COLUMN REPRODUCED COURTESY OF PETER CAMERON, GOLD COAST BULLETIN AND NEWS LIMITED.