Mystery grows over ‘poisoning’ shock that could ruin one of Australia’s biggest horse races – as organisers can’t say where the event will be held

Organisers of the Magic Millions carnival still can’t confirm if Saturday’s main race will be staged on the Gold Coast due to a damaged section of the track.

Rumours are swirling that the recent discolouration was the work of vandals, with police still ‘actively investigating’ a bombshell claim the damage is the result of poisoning.

The track damage saw the start of the Magic Millions carnival on January 4 — a twilight race meeting — hastily moved to the Sunshine Coast Turf Club, which is a two-hour drive from the Gold Coast.

In bizarre scenes, iconic Aussie singer Daryl Braithwaite still performed last Saturday on the Glitter Strip minus the barriers opening – with Zara and Mike Tindall two of the A-listers in attendance.

Princess Anne‘s daughter and her husband – a former rugby star for England – are not working royals, although Zara has been a Magic Millions Racing Women Ambassador since 2012.

Queensland Racing boss Jason Scott said a final decision in terms of the venue will be made by Thursday morning at the latest after turf from a chute is dropped in to replace the damaged part of the track.

Organisers of the Magic Millions carnival still can’t confirm if Saturday’s main race will be staged on the Gold Coast (pictured)

Work quickly began at the race track to fix the damaged part of the course (pictured)

Rumours are swirling the recent discolouration was the work of vandals, with police still ‘actively investigating’ the bombshell poison claim

The track damage saw the start of the Magic Millions carnival on January 4 — a twilight race meeting — hastily moved to the Sunshine Coast Turf Club, which is a two-hour drive away

In bizarre scenes, iconic Aussie singer Daryl Braithwaite still performed last Saturday on the Gold Coast – with royal couple Zara and Mike Tindall (pictured) two of the A-listers in attendance

‘We are going to make every effort to run there [Gold Coast],’ Scott said on SEN.

‘We have engaged the same group that helped Flemington three or four years ago when they had the oil thrown on the track Carnival time.

‘They tell me they can have that finished by Tuesday night, Wednesday morning at the worst. 

‘Then we need to put some horses over it and make some decisions then whether we can race at the Gold Coast.

‘We can’t have the mad rush, we know there’s a lot of people flying into Queensland, owners etc, they might need to reorganise a flight or fly to a different airport, find different accommodation, so we won’t drag this on.’

It comes as Gold Coast Turf Club chief executive Steve Lines has his fingers crossed the track will be deemed safe to run on.

‘The Magic Millions attracts thousands and thousands of people, it brings around $40-50 million worth of economic benefit to the city,’ he said.

The 10-strong card, which also includes sales of Australia’s best yearlings, is the biggest racing day of the year on the Gold Coast, with $14.5million in prizemoney up for grabs.

Investigations into the track damage remain ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact police.