The countdown to Magic Millions is on, despite drama at the racetrack from a poisoning act. Officials assure the track will be ready in time, and today, the Star Gold Coast Barrier Draw will feature horses galloping along Surfers Paradise Beach.
For more, Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch joins.
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(air whooshing) Countdown to the Magic Millions is well and truly underway this morning, but not without some drama along the way. The race track is undergoing emergency repairs after it was targeted by a shocking poisoning act. Despite the sabotage, officials are promising that the track will be ready in time. This morning, the tradition of the Star Gold Coast barrier draw will take place. Horses galloping along Surface Paradise Beach. Well, for more, we're joined by Magic Millions Managing Director, Barry Badditch, who is live on the Gold Coast. Morning to you, Barry. Okay, give us an update on the repairs following the recent track poisoning. What have you had to do? - Good morning, yeah. No, we've got the best in the business in repairing the track for Saturday. Obviously, there's major works to take place and all is progressing and we're extremely confident we'll be back on the Gold Coast for the Star Magic Millions on Saturday. - Okay, so a police investigation at the moment? - That's right, it's under police investigation. Obviously, they're testing the grass that has been affected and they've also got the police investigating security footage and people's whereabouts. So, we'll learn more in days to come. But at the moment, our focus is on getting things right for Saturday. - Okay, so what do you actually have to do? How big a task is this? - Well, yeah, it's outside my wheelhouse, but from what I can gather, you move grass from another part of the track and you replace the grass that's been affected with that grass and it's been done at Flemington before and I've got the guys up from Flemington to oversee this and give us the best opportunity to be able to race on Saturday. - Gosh, did you ever see this on the Bingo card when he took on the managing director role? - Absolutely not, it was so disappointing not to have racing on the Gold Coast here on Saturday night, but obviously be able to run those races at the Sunshine Coast is really important and we still had a great event here on the Gold Coast while they raced. - Yep, let's talk about that wonderful tradition of the barrier draw, it's become a Gold Coast tradition, hasn't it? How's everything looking for that? - Yeah, what a beautiful morning here, it's magnificent here on the Gold Coast this morning. All the owners will turn up here soon for the barrier draw for the star magic millions and it's just a beautiful morning, the crowds building and we'll see these beautiful horses run down the beach here shortly. - Okay, we're gonna bring you that race live on sunrise that's happening after eight o'clock. Barry, best of luck, good to talk. (dramatic music) [BLANK_AUDIO]
