The annual Stawell Cup meeting at Easter has been called off due to suspected vandalism of the track.
Club and Racing Victoria officials inspected the track on Tuesday and confirmed the most likely cause of damage to the racing surface was a deliberate act of poisoning.
Areas of grass between the 300m mark in the home straight and the crossing near the 1300m have experienced erratic and rapid deterioration.
Local police are investigating the incident.
The race meeting on Easter Sunday is part of a bumper weekend in the area which also hosts the famous Stawell Gift foot race a day later.
“Victoria Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, but unfortunately it appears there has been a deliberate act to damage the track,” RV’s Greg Carpenter said.
“This is both alarming and extremely disappointing that such an iconic meeting, one which is a major attraction for the local community, can be lost in such circumstances.”
