- Magic Millions main race to be held on the Gold Coast on January 11
- The card was moved to the Sunshine Coast on January 4 due to track damage
- Rumors continue that the damage was caused by vandals.
Magic Millions carnival organizers cannot yet confirm whether Saturday’s main race will take place on the Gold Coast due to a damaged section of the track.
Rumors are circulating that the recent discoloration was the work of vandals, and police are still “actively investigating” an explosive claim that the damage is the result of poisoning.
Damage to the track prompted the start of the Magic Millions carnival on January 4, a sunset race, to be hastily moved to the Sunshine Coast Turf Club, which is a two-hour drive from the Gold Coast.
In bizarre scenes, iconic Australian singer Daryl Braithwaite still performed last Saturday on the Glitter Strip without the barriers opening, with Zara and Mike Tindall, two of the celebrities present.
Princess Anne’s daughter and her husband, a former England rugby star, are not working royals, although Zara has been a female ambassador for Magic Millions Racing since 2012.
Queensland Racing boss Jason Scott said a final decision in terms of the venue will be made on Thursday morning at the latest after a slide turf is laid to replace the damaged part of the track.
Magic Millions carnival organizers cannot yet confirm whether Saturday’s main race will take place on the Gold Coast (pictured)
Work quickly began on the racetrack to repair the damaged portion of the course (pictured)
Rumors are circulating that the recent discoloration was the work of vandals, and police are still “actively investigating” the allegation of explosive poisoning.
Damage to the track caused the start of the Magic Millions carnival on January 4, a sunset race, to be hastily moved to the Sunshine Coast Turf Club, which is a two-hour drive away.
In bizarre scenes, iconic Australian singer Daryl Braithwaite still performed last Saturday on the Gold Coast, with royal couple Zara and Mike Tindall (pictured), two of the celebrities in attendance.
“We’re going to do everything we can to get there (Gold Coast),” Scott said on SEN.
‘We’ve hired the same group that helped Flemington three or four years ago when they dumped oil on the track during Carnival.
—They tell me they can have it finished by Tuesday night or, in the worst case, Wednesday morning.
“So we have to put some horses in and make some decisions about whether we can race on the Gold Coast.”
“We can’t be in a rush, we know there are a lot of people flying into Queensland, homeowners etc, who might need to rearrange a flight or fly to a different airport, find different accommodation, so we won’t drag this out.” .’
It comes as Gold Coast Turf Club chief executive Steve Lines has his fingers crossed the track is deemed safe for racing.
“The Magic Millions attracts thousands and thousands of people and brings economic benefits worth between 40 and 50 million dollars to the city,” he said.
The 10-way card, which also includes sales of Australia’s top yearlings, is the Gold Coast’s biggest racing day of the year, with $14.5 million in prize money up for grabs.
Investigations into the damage to the road remain ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact police.