The BTC and the Gold Coast-based Magic Millions are preparing to enter negotiations about the future of their partnership.

Their initial three-year agreement ended with the running of the $200,000 Magic Millions 2yo Clockwise Classic and $100,000 Magic Millions 3yo Classic – major feature events on the historic stand alone BTC million dollar Cup Day program – on Saturday.

The clockwise classic, the only race in Victoria in the NSW and Queensland way of going, was first run on Cup Day in 2012.

The three-year-old feature was added to the program last year.

McKenzie and Magic Millions managing director Vin Cox each told The Courier that the relationship had been extremely positive.

McKenzie said Magic Millions had provided a “fantastic” addition to the Cup Day program.

“It (the clockwise classic) has been an outstanding promotion ... one of the major drawcards for the Cup meeting,” he said.

McKenzie said the two-year-old event had grown in stature, attracting runners from interstate.

He said he was “very confident” that the partnership would be ongoing.

As well as giving Magic Millions a presence in Victoria, the clockwise race was introduced to provide Victorian trainers an opportunity to race youngsters in the same direction as the Magic Millions Classic on the Gold Coast without the need to travel to NSW or Queensland.

The first three placegetters in last year’s clockwise classic went on to run in the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic on the Gold Coast on January 10.

Sydney trainer Gai Waterhouse has already committed to taking the same course with Saturday’s winner Carriages.

Cox said Magic Millions could not be happier with the way the presence in Victoria and Ballarat had progressed.

He said Victorian interest in Magic Millions yearling sales had increased significantly in the past three years – going from $2m spent by Victorian interests to $10m and then $14m this year.

Cox said while the increase was not all down to the Ballarat agreement, it had certainly increased exposure.

“We’re happy with the way it’s gone. Full credit to Ballarat (Turf Club) for getting into a position for a standalone (Saturday) meeting,” Cox said.

“We haven’t sat down yet as to where we’re going, but it’s all been positive.

“It’s ticked all the boxes.

“We’re keen to keep building a presence in Victoria.”

Ballarat Turf Club will carry out track renovation works before its next meeting on Thursday, January 8.

McKenzie said the program would include decompaction works and dethatching.

He said the compaction issues which arose in the winter after completing the track upgrade had not gone away.

McKenzie said it was important to ensure the track was right for next winter.

He said the club was committed to introducing an annual track renovation works program.

david.brehaut@fairfaxmedia.com.au