Queensland Police are of the strong belief that the Gold Coast track was intentionally poisoned by a third party ahead of the Magic Millions but admit they have few leads as to who the culprit may be.
The poisoning of the section of the track around the 500-metre mark forced the Gold Coast Turf Club to move its key lead-up meeting to the Magic Millions and forced a massive around-the-clock effort to get it repaired in time for the $14.5 million Magic Millions raceday.
As it turned out, bad weather meant only three races were run on the track on the intended date, Saturday January 11, with the remaining features conducted last Friday night.
While the impacted area of the track continues to recover, police have said they have ruled out accidental damage to the track.
Gold Coast Acting Superintendent Jason Tuffley told the ABC that their investigations aligned with the club’s finding that the common glyphosate-based herbicide Roundup was used to kill the grass.
It is believed the poisoning occurred around New Year’s Day.
The club has insisted that it believed it was an intentional act, even when Racing Queensland and Magic Millions officials conceded it was more likely mishap than malice.
The outcome of the club’s own investigation, conducted by agronomist Craig Easton, was that herbicide had been administered using a knapsack sprayer, not a boom sprayer.
Police are also adamant a third party was involved, having ruled out any misadventure or otherwise by someone at the club.
"It could be a targeted attack against the racing industry itself, or the Gold Coast Turf Club or the Magic Millions event itself," Acting Superintendent Tuffley said.
But the likelihood of finding the person responsible seems remote, as CCTV has proven inconclusive and there appear to be no other witnesses.
"Unless police receive any new or fresh information in relation to nominating a suspect ... there is less enquiries for us to take action," he said.
Warwick Barr
