Racing: Disaster averted in track invasion

It will cost the Sunshine Coast Racing Club A$20,000 ($22,000) to boost security after a drunk nearly caused a disaster in Saturday's A$75,000 Guineas, won by New Zealander Atapi.

Eighteen-year-old Andrew Wynn jumped a fence, then a railing, before rushing onto the track and trying to wave down the Guineas horses 300m from the finish as Atapi raced clear of the opposition.

Remarkably, the horses appeared to show less than the expected reaction to the behaviour of the intoxicated Wynn, although several riders were later white-faced at what might have been.

Jockey Tony Pattillo said he feared for himself and Wynn aboard Glorious Lady, who was the widest on the track and the closest to the drunken reveller.

"He got that close to us I could have touched him," he told AAP.

"My first thought was that I was going to have to live the rest of my life with the thought of killing a bloke."

Wynn was arrested and charged with causing a public nuisance before being released on Saturday night.

He has been ordered to appear at the Maroochydore Magistrate's Court this month and police have said they may lay more serious charges.

Sunshine Coast Racing Club secretary Mick Sullivan is furious.

"Because of this idiot, racing is going to have to bear the cost of A$20,000 for additional security.

"The only good thing in the whole affair is that no one was hurt, but it could have been disastrous."

Atapi's New Zealand trainer, Richard Otto, couldn't believe his eyes. He was trying desperately to keep his attention on his own horse, who had grabbed a home-turn lead and was working hard to maintain it.

Otto admits he wasn't sure where to look for the final stages of the race.

"He looked like he was trying to tackle the horses," said an amazed Otto. "It was a bit different."

Otto has always had a big opinion of Atapi, who had mixed form before being gelded six months ago.

"He's a different horse since we cut him. He was always quiet within himself, but he wouldn't concentrate in his races and he'd try to bolt.

"He's so much more relaxed out on the track now."

Atapi won well the previous week in Brisbane and had to show a lot of grit in testing conditions on Saturday.

"He didn't really do the conditions that well, it was just his class that got him there," said Otto.

"Jim [rider Jim Byrne] said he was travelling so well he worked him forward, then on the turn he looked around and said: 'I'm in front too soon'. But he never looked like stopping."

New Zealand produced the trifecta in the race with Thee Auld Hussie finishing strongly to take second off the John Wheeler-trained Argyle Lass.