Gold Coast track passes test gallop, locked in for $14.5m Magic Millions, sources confirm

The $14m Magic Millions is set to remain on the Gold Coast this weekend after sources confirmed the track passed today’s test gallop following the shock poisoning which threatened the glamour event.

Alia Mallory with Mariah Broad from Eleanora attending the Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday last year. Picture: Steve Pohlner

The Gold Coast racecourse has been ruled good to go for Saturday’s $14.5m Magic Millions race day after a test gallop by leading jockeys on Thursday morning.

Six jockeys tested the surface after a crucial section of the track was mysteriously poisoned in a suspected sabotage last week, throwing Queensland’s richest and most prestigious racing carnival into turmoil.

There were fears the big race would have to be moved to Eagle Farm in Brisbane if the track was still deemed unsafe by the jockeys.

Repairs to the Gold Coast turf club track have been completed ahead of the Magic Millions carnival race day on Saturday Picture GCTC

But the repairs have passed with flying colours after Thursday’s test gallop, sources have confirmed.

The meeting will go ahead at the Gold Coast Turf Club with about 25,000 spectators expected to watch the racing and entertainment by the likes of Irish superstar Ronan Keating and Aussie rock legend Jimmy Barnes.

Racing Queensland CEO Jason Scott said officials were “delighted” with the outcome.

“Delighted to report the new patch of track played exactly the same as the rest of the track and we’ll be racing here on Saturday,” he said.

“It’s a fantastic day for all of us.”

Mr Scott paid tribute to the same turf experts who saved the 2022 Melbourne Cup after Flemington was vandalised by a horse racing protester just hours before the big race.

Flemington track manager Liam O’Keeffe oversaw the repairs to the Gold Coast track which were carried out using a hi-tech turf harvesting and compacting machine.

Workers removing the poisoned section of track at the Gold Coast Turf Club. Picture Supplied

Gold Coast Turf Club chairman Brett Cook said it had been a stressful week for officials and the successful repair job was an “incredible achievement”.

“The jockeys have all come back in with glowing reports so we’re full steam ahead and we couldn’t be more happier,” he said.

“The last 72 hours haven’t been a good experience but when I saw the work that was completed by the Evergreen (turf) guys, I was confident it was going to go ahead.

“Obviously jockey safety is paramount but they’ve all come back in (from the test) gallop very happy, saying the track’s racing fantastic and that’s what we wanted to hear.

“It’s game on.”

Up to 30mm of rain has been forcefast for the Gold Coast on Saturday but Mr Scott was unfazed by the outlook.

“Flemington don’t panic when it’s raining on the Sunday before Melbourne Cup,” he said.

“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 (of repaired turf).”

Originally published as Gold Coast track passes test gallop, locked in for $14.5m Magic Millions, sources confirm