Tom Tate declares the ‘Magic will happen on Gold Coast’ after turf poisoning

Mayor Tom Tate has backed the Magic Millions to host its prestigious race day on the Gold Coast this weekend following the shock track poisoning.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has backed organisers of the Magic Millions to pull off an 11th hour rescue mission to keep the prestigious race day on the Glitter Strip this weekend.

The Gold Coast Turf Club is in a race against the clock to repair a large section of track near the finish line after the portion of grass mysteriously died last week.

The dead grass has been ripped up and experts flown in from interstate with contingency plans to move the massive money spinner to the Sunshine Coast or Brisbane, but Councillor Tate said that would not be necessary.

“The magic will happen on the Gold Coast on Saturday,” he said.

“One thing about the Gold Coast is that if we get knocked down, we get up again.”

Mayor Tom Tate. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Magic Millions co-owner Katie Page-Harvey said she was “95 per cent” confident Saturday’s main race day would go ahead on the Gold Coast, as organisers race the clock to have the Gold Coast track repaired for the big race day after it was mysteriously poisoned last week, sparking a police investigation.

“I always have plan B, as you know, but it’s going to be spectacular,” she said.

“Whatever we have to do to make Saturday a success, we will do it.”

A decision will be made on Thursday if the meeting remains on the Coast or has to be moved to Eagle Farm or the Sunshine Coast.

It comes after one of the carnival’s highlights, the iconic beach horse race and barrier draw at Surfers Paradise, kicked off this morning.

Hundreds of spectators have packed the beach in perfect sunshine to watch celebrities and top jockeys thunder along the golden sands on horseback.

Billy Slater, Nacho Figueras, Delfina Blaquier and Zara Tindall at the Magic Millions Beach Run and Barrier Draw. Picture by Luke Marsden.

Three races are being staged, the main one featuring Magic Millions ambassadors, including Maroons coach Billy Slater and British royal Zara Tindall, Argentine polo Star Nacho Figueras and his wife Delfina Blaquier.

Jockeys including last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Robbie Dolan are also riding.

Dolan, Ireland’s popular “singing jockey who won the 2024 Melbourne Cup on Queensland roughie Knight’s Choice, is taking part in his first Magic Millions beach race and said the atmosphere was “unbelievable”.

The iconic Magic Millions beach race on Tuesday. Picture by Luke Marsden.

“It’s unreal … I can’t believe the turnout,” he said.

“My horse was getting a little bit fractious up on his toes but once we let them loose down the beach, he seems to really enjoy himself.”

Billy Slater, Nacho Figueras, Delfina Blaquier and Zara Tindall at the Magic Millions Beach Run and Barrier Draw. Picture by Luke Marsden.

Tindall won the main race ahead of Slater, with Dolan finishing back in the field.

“I thought the jockeys were competitive but you guys are next level,” Dolan joked afterwards to the ambassadors.

“There was trash talk before we even got out there.”

Tindall said she was following in the hoof steps of fellow Magic Millions ambassador Delfina Blaquier, wife of Argentine polo star and model Nacho Figueras, who got off to a flying start on the Surfers Paradise sand.

The Barrier Draw event showcasing an exhibition run of thoroughbreds down the Surfers Paradise beach, watched on by holiday makers and racing enthusiasts alike.

“This is why we all come – it’s the most incredible location,” said Tindall, the niece of King Charles.

“No-one else does it better than the Gold Coast and we love being part of it.”

Slater said he was “really, really happy” to have just beaten Figueras.

“It’s OK to be happy about being second – it’s the story of your life,” Figueras quipped.

“We had such a good time, we always have such a good time. Zara usually wins, I think she cheats … she gets a head start but that’s OK.”

The Barrier Draw event showcasing an exhibition run of thoroughbreds down the Surfers Paradise beach, watched on by holiday makers and racing enthusiasts alike.

Dolan said winning the Melbourne Cup would be “hard to top” but there would be some “top-notch racing” at Magic Millions.

“There’s plenty of events and parties and one or two glasses of champagne drank maybe,” he said.

Dolan doesn’t have a mount in the two main races but said he liked the chances of his horse in the Magic Millions Cup, $10 shot Oughton.

The barrier draw for Saturday’s $14.5m Magic Millions race day will be held after the last race at 8.15am.

The Magic Millions yearling sales also start at Bundall today, with more than 1400 horses – including a colt named buck bred by Slater – going under the hammer.

Originally published as Tom Tate declares the ‘Magic will happen on Gold Coast’ after turf poisoning