Suspicious items found near damaged Gold Coast Magic Millions racetrack

Posted by author January 7, 2025 Horse Racing

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The mystery is deepening into how the Gold Coast Turf Club was damaged ahead of one of Queensland’s richest horse races, with police now testing new items of interest.

Magic Millions organisers are working around the clock to repair a key stretch of turf that was poisoned last week but it is still unclear whether the Bundall racetrack will be ready for this weekend’s high-profile race meet.

Police and the Gold Coast Turf Club have revealed discarded weed nozzles and equipment were handed over to officers investigating the damage on Monday.

In a statement, turf club chairman Brett Cook said footprints were also found near the damaged track.

“We’re awaiting an independent report from leading agronomist company Easton Turf, who has been up to take samples of the damaged turf,” the statement said.

“But it’s looking more and more a case of vandalism.”

Brett Cook says the suspicious items were handed to police. (Supplied: Gold Coast Turf Club)

Mr Cook said they knew the spray nozzles did not belong to the turf club.

“Because they’re plastic and we use brass,” he said.

“If it does turn out to be a deliberate act, which is looking increasingly likely, we’re very disappointed with a narrative that has come out suggesting it was some sort of mistake on our part.”

Police investigate items

Gold Coast police Chief Superintendent Craig Hanlon confirmed police seized the items on Monday after Gold Coast Turf Club chief executive Steven Lines notified officers.

“We’ll get them examined to see what sort of material substance was in those nozzles,” he told ABC News.

“Hopefully, once the turf club … [get] the grass analysed, we’ll see whether that’s the same substance.”

The test results were expected this week.

Cop in front of police car — Craig Hanlon says the nozzles are being analysed. (ABC North Qld: Sofie Wainwright)

Police said the footprints were spotted in a high-traffic area.

“We have to be mindful that there’s a lot of footprints around the place, a lot of traffic in and around that there was work done in that section of the track,” Chief Superintendent Hanlon said.

“So, we understand that there are potentially lawful and valid reasons for some of those tracks, but that that’s also forming part of our investigation.”

The Gold Coast officer said “nothing” had been ruled out.

“We know that the track’s been damaged,” he said.

“We want to ascertain how it was damaged, so hopefully we’ll get that analysis soon, and we’ll get the analysis of the nozzles that we’ve found and what substances were in there.

“Then we need to work out the reasons the track was damaged. So, were there nefarious issues involved, or was it just a mistake?”

Worker looks on at two rolls of turf at racecourse. — Works are underway to repair the damaged track. (Supplied: Gold Coast Turf Club)

Race day still in limbo

The damage saw the opening day of the Magic Millions racing carnival relocated to the Sunshine Coast due to safety concerns.

Remediation works to repair the affected section of the course are well underway, but Mr Cook said it was still unclear whether the track could be used this weekend.

“Once repair works have been completed, senior jockeys will gallop horses over the course proper on Thursday to further assess the condition of the track,” he said.

“Based on the advice of experts, the club is hopeful of a positive outcome with the remediation works.

“Contingency plans are also being discussed should the meeting not be able to proceed as planned on the Gold Coast.”