Magic Millions Gold Coast track deadline revealed as work begins on drop in pitch

Track staff remain confident they can have a chemically-damaged section of the track repaired in time for the Gold Coast Turf Club to host Saturday’s Magic Millions as a key timeline was set.

The Gold Coast track has deteriorated further after Saturday’s meeting was called off on Friday. Picture: Supplied

A decision on where the Magic Millions will be staged will be made on Thursday as Gold Coast track staff continue their race against the clock to get the chemically-damaged surface up to scratch for Saturday.

The 25m x 10m section of the track which was deemed not safe to race on is being dug up and is expected to be replaced by Tuesday with new grass from the 2200m starting chute.

With the $3m Magic Millions 2YO Classic and 3YO Guineas run on Saturday, horses will be required to gallop over the new section of the track before it is given the tick of approval by officials.

It is expected the assessment will come on Thursday.

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It comes as Evergreen Turf were called in from New South Wales to pull the project off, along with respected Victorian track manager Liam O’Keefe from the Victorian Racing Club.

“The guys are in there today and tomorrow doing the work on the new track,” Racing Queensland chief executive Jason Scott said.

“We expect to have that done by around Tuesday and then we will need to put horses over it to test it.

“They are very confident they can do this and get it done in time.

“We don’t want to be leaving it to chance, so we need to get in and make a decision early enough to let everyone know.

“We need to be making the decision a bit earlier this week.”

The Gold Coast track suffered chemical damage at the 500m mark. Picture: Supplied

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Speaking to SEN Radio today, Scott also revealed he had had “one or two animal groups” reach out to express disappointment that vandalism from anti-racing groups may have been the cause of the track damage.

“They’re offended that they’ve been tarred with that brush because the last thing they want to do is injure horses,” Scott said.

“It’s a perfect rectangle there, almost, so I’d be surprised if it’s vandals.

“I don’t know where it (vandalism speculation) emanated but I would have preferred we didn’t have that narrative.”

Magic Millions co-owner Katie Page will today consider contingency options in case the Gold Coast track is not passed fit to race on, with a huge hospitality aspect also coming into play.

Both Eagle Farm and the Sunshine Coast are likely options should the races not be held at the Gold Coast.

Eagle Farm is already hosting a secondary meeting on Saturday, making a switch later this week an easier option.

Originally published as Magic Millions Gold Coast track deadline revealed as work begins on drop in pitch