Protest outside Turf Club as thousands arrive for Magic Millions race day

A group of protesters have banded together outside the Gold Coast Turf Club as thousands arrive for Magic Millions race day celebrations.

PROTESTERS have arrived at the Gold Coast Turf Club as the Magic Millions race day gets underway this morning.

The group of about 50 people have banded together to protest animal cruelty, while thousands of racegoers arrive for the event.

Grouped together holding signs and flags, one man has taken to shouting information through a microphone.

“They reward their horses with a 50 cent bullet to the head,” he said.

“Each and every year we see 120 horses killed on the racetrack ... they kill horses for dog meat.”

Armed with signs and banners, the group has set up shop outside the Gold Coast Turf Club. Photo: Emily Halloran

They have been met with jeers from race fans, who say they are “here to have fun”.

The protesters are part of a larger group calling for the Australian racing industry to invest one per cent of its annual income to create a national retiring and rehoming program for racehorses.

The event was planned days ago by the same group who also plan to protest at Hudson’s Circus in Southport and the controversial Black Swan Lake over the weekend.

Police have reportedly already spoken to the group, but there is no sign of them being removed.

Meanwhile motorists can expect delays trying to attend the race as traffic is building entering the road near the Gold Coast Turf Club.

Motorists have been asked to seek an alternative route if they don’t need access to the event area.

More to come.