Officials at Addington Raceway are reviewing New Zealand Cup footage to try and identify a man who threw a knife at horses during Tuesday's main race.
Police were notified after a racegoer reported seeing a man throw a knife at leading horses during the $1 million Christchurch trotting race, the Sunday Star-Times reported.
Club chief executive Shane Gloury said he had spoken to the racegoer who reported the incident and also saw video footage where a shiny object was seen flashing across the screen.
A bread and butter knife was apparently found on the track by a security guard and a man believed to be in his 20s was confronted about the incident before being released.
He couldn't confirmed reports the young man was tackled by the guard, but investigations were continuing.
"I'm in the process of getting footage from all media organisations who were there, and anything from our photographers which might help identify him," Gloury said.
Christchurch racegoer Simon Stansfield, who reported the incident, said he also challenged the thrower, who claimed it had slipped from his hand.
Mr Stansfield said he was appalled at what he saw.
NZPA