Racecourse appears to have been contaminated before important event

A section of the Bundall Turf Club racecourse was found discoloured and unfit for racing after parts of it were apparently poisoned.

Police were informed of the damage about 7pm yesterday ahead of one of its biggest meetings of the year.

Samples of the track are being examined in a lab with police investigating and treating the poisoning as a case of willful damage.

Racehorses were moved to the Sunshine Coast – a two hour commute away – this morning, so the event could still go ahead in some capacity.

The incident dampened the spirits of many punters who were looking forward to a day at the races.

Organisers offered refunds and opened the gates to the public in an effort to keep the party going.

Country music star Daryl Braithwaite was still expected to take to the stage tonight.

The race is now on to repair the track in time for Queensland’s richest race day next Saturday.

“We can’t guarantee anything but we’ve got a plan in place that says we’re gonna be racing here next Saturday,” Gold Coast Turf Club CEO Steve Lyons said.

Anyone with more information has been urged to contact police.