Magic Millions to stay on Gold Coast after repaired track passes test

by Admin
January 9, 2025

Queensland’s richest horse race is set to stay on the Gold Coast this weekend after the track passed a gallop test this morning.

The two-day Magic Millions carnival had been put under a cloud after officials discovered a section of the track was poisoned last Friday, prompting a police investigation into the incident.

Organisers were forced to relocate the first day of racing to the Sunshine Coast, while a back-up plan was made to move this Saturday’s $14 million race day to Brisbane’s Eagle Farm if the track was deemed unsuitable.

Six jockeys galloped horses on the repaired section of track at the Gold Coast Turf Club in Bundall on Thursday and Racing Queensland chief executive Jason Scott confirmed it had passed the test.

Repair work was completed on Tuesday. (Supplied: Gold Coast Turf Club)

About 25,000 people are expected to attend the event this weekend.

“Delighted to report that the new patch of track played exactly the same as the rest of the track we’ll be racing here on Saturday … so we’re right to go,” Mr Scott said.

A team of experts including senior manager of Flemington racecourse Liam O’Keeffe worked to repair the damage by transplanting existing turf to cover the damaged section.

The remediation works were completed on Tuesday.

Mr Scott said it had been a mammoth effort to make sure the race could go ahead.

“Full congratulations, commendations to the guys from the track that have been working to the contractors we engaged, who like to stay out of the limelight,” he said.

“What we’ve managed to achieve here since getting these trucks rolling on Saturday afternoon, to have an eight-by-25 metre part of turf in an absolutely crucial part of the racetrack is just amazing.”

portrait of man — Jason Scott says the repaired track is unlikely to be impacted by the predicted rainfall. (Supplied: Racing Queensland)

A possible thunderstorm and rainfall of up to 30 millimetres has been forecast for the Gold Coast on Saturday, though Mr Scott said he was confident the track would hold up.

“We’ll put up with whatever happens. But I can assure you, if there are any problems with rain and the track, it won’t be because of that square,” Mr Scott said.