It is now just over three and a half years since the Parklands complex at Southport was destroyed to make way for a high rise housing estate to be used for just three weeks of the Commonwealth Games in April 2018, believed to be the most expensive Athletes Village in the Games history.
At the time many promises were made by politicians to both Greyhound Racing and Harness Racing, none of which has materialised. These promises included as recently as August 2016, the Hon Grace Grace advised the Gold Coast Harness Racing Club that $10.2 million had been allocated to replace the Parklands track along with a similar amount for Greyhounds.
At the time of closure, Racing Queensland posted a great tribute to the Club titled “Thanks for the memories”. The short article outlined 25 years of history from the early races to the most successful Inter Dominion in 2009, the first time in the events history that it was staged outside a metropolitan venue. The Club also led the way with safety and was instrumental in the removal of the running rail improving safety for drivers and horses.
One of the other successes mentioned in the article was “Another feature event staged at Parklands of significant national interest was the Premiers Cup Series and it remains the highest prizemoney Country penalty stand-start series in Australia”, that was in 2013. Parklands also included oncourse stables which allowed easier participation that wasn’t available anywhere else.
Well, it is a sad and sorry state where another Harness Racing Club, Albion Park, have been hell bent on destroying every memory of Parklands and the Gold Coast Club with the final removal of the Gold Coast race names from the 2017 schedule.
Valiantly the new CEO of Racing Queensland, Dr Eliot Forbes, stepped in and formally requested that Albion Park reinstate the race names,only to be met with an arrogant refusal to do so from the Club hierarchy. This comes from a Club who are tenants of Racing Queensland, effectively Dr Forbes is their landlord.
Harness Racing is desperately in need of renewed code leadership and management, something that will never come from the current incumbents.
The original article from Racing Queensland is included below, let’s hope that the memories never disappear and they drive a whole new chapter in the revitalisation and renewal of Harness Racing in Queensland. Gold Coast have the drive, the skills and the knowledge to make it happen.
Name: Withheld
Thanks For The Memories 
Racing Queensland
30 September 2013
Twenty-five years of harness racing on the Gold Coast at its Parklands facility has come to an end.
After the Kevin Thomas trained and driven Idle Mac scored in the first race at the new world class complex back in December 1988, the industry sensed a massive boost for the sport here in the sunshine state.
A spacious 1000m track with outstanding facilities easily matched that of Albion Park, headquarters for harness racing in Queensland.
The Gold Coast Harness Racing Club received its greatest impetus when it was called on to stage the 2009 Inter Dominion Pacing Championship series after the Russ Hinze Grandstand at Albion Park was condemned in June, 2008.
Former North American star Mr Feelgood charged to victory to upstage local champion Blacks A Fake in a thrilling finish in front of a massive crowd on a warm autumn night.
It was the first time in the events history that a provincial club conducted the biggest harness racing spectacle….it was hailed a success.
The event is still spoken about to this day.
The Inter Dominion wasn’t the only Grand Circuit feature staged at Parklands, the Australian Pacing Championship called the Gold Coast home back in 1994 while the Queensland Pacing Championship was also staged on the three occasions (1999, 2000 & 2001).
Some of the modern day greats have graced Parklands including Blacks A Fake, Mr Feelgood, Be Good Johnny, Flashing Red, Slipnslide, Washakie, Smoken Up, Changeover, Smooth Satin, Double Identity, Courage Under Fire, TailamadeLombo, Shakamaker and Chandon among many others.
Another feature event staged at Parklands of significant national interest was the Premiers Cup Series and it remains the highest prizemoney Country penalty stand-start series in Australia.
Many a metropolitan meeting was staged at Parklands while the re-introduction of the trotters in Queensland was also another key moment.
The club was instrumental in the removal of the running rail making it much safer for participants.
So, the final race meeting was staged last Friday night, September 27, 2013.
And the curtain came down when Lionsixchristiansnil raced to the lead in the shadows of the winning post to land the victory in the final event for leading trainer/driver Grant Dixon.
Interestingly, Dixon is the most capped driver that competed at Parklands with over 940 victories.
The site will become the home of the athlete’s village for the 2018 Commonwealth Games with construction set to start next month.
The night was filled with fond memories and plenty of great stories of this great racetrack with the club hosting a huge crowd in a fitting send-off.
While the emotion is still raw with plenty, those great memories will be forever etched in their minds.
End of article.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
