PENANG,  19 March 2008

The 2009 Malaysian Magic Millions Classic will be worth a whopping RM1 million. And to create more excitement and keener competition, the race will be open to Singapore entries for the first time since the race began nine years ago.

The announcement by the Penang Turf Club (PNTC) came less than a month it was announced that stakes for this year's race will be raised to RM400,000, an increase of RM50,000 from last year.

The Malaysian Magic Millions Classic is confined to three and four-year-old graduates of Magic Millions sales in Australia and Malaysia.

"The attractive stakes will entice owners to bring in more quality horses into the Malayan Racing Association circuit, thus raising the quality of our races. This will also translate into greater employment opportunities for our racing industry. The National Stud Farm sales, conducted by Magic Millions Sales Pty Ltd, will be given a boost as horses sold here are eligible for the race.

"The RM1 million race will attract many racing tourists from Australia and Singapore to Penang and serve to enhance trade and ties between Australia and Malaysia/Singapore," PNTC said in a press release today.

The Penang Turf Club already has two million ringgit race on its calendar. The RM1.35 Yang Di Pertua Negeri Gold Cup (2200m handicap) is the richest race in Malaysia. The RM1 million Astro Wah Lai Toi Sprint Trophy (WFA 1400m) is the richest sprint in the country.

The Malaysia Magic Millions Classic is traditionally staged during the Sprint Trophy meeting in September. Last year, however, the race was postponed to the Gold Cup meeting in December after the Sprint Trophy second weekend was cancelled due to the unsafe track following days of torrential rain.

The Frank Maynard-trained CHEYENNE DANCER won the 2007 edition, beating PENANG WONDER and JUG FULL.