A 39-year-old Merrylands man has been charged after police stopped him allegedly carrying a sawn-off shotgun outside Saturday's Golden Slipper Stakes event.
Rosehill LAC duty officer Dan Richardson said there was no evidence to suggest the man was on his way to, or leaving Rosehill Gardens Racecourse.
Thousands of people flocked to the area at the weekend to attend the world's richest juvenile race, worth $3.5 million, which was taken out by Scott Darby and Mark Holland's $20,000 yearling purchase She Will Reign.
The Australian Turf Club said in a statement on Sunday they had been informed by senior police that there was no suggestion the "alleged offender was targeting the Golden Slipper, or its patrons".
It is understood the man was stopped at 5.15pm after being sighted behaving suspiciously on Hassall Street.
"Police suspected he was involved in some form of drug activity," Richardson said.
When police went to search the man's backpack, he allegedly tried to run away.
Upon being searched, police allegedly found the loaded sawn-off shotgun, along with more ammunition, a mask and gloves.
He was charged with nine offences including possession of a shortened firearm, being armed with intent, possession of a prescribed restricted substance and police assault.
The man was refused bail and is expected to to appear at Parramatta Court on Sunday.
This story first appeared on The Sydney Morning Herald.
