Leading investor targets Dreamworld owner

An investment group with high profile businessman Gary Weiss on its board has amassed a 5.73 per cent stake in Dreamworld owner Ardent Leisure.

A Dreamworld ride has malfunctioned, leaving passengers momentarily stranded. (AAP)

Investment group Ariadne has acquired a sizeable stake in Ardent Leisure, the owner of the Dreamworld theme park where four people died in an accident in October.

Ariadne, which has veteran investor Gary Weiss as a director and major shareholder, now has a 5.73 per cent stake in Ardent after going on a buying spree on Tuesday afternoon.

The group's increased stake in Ardent is fuelling media speculation that it may be part of a move to force changes to Ardent's board.