Trainers at Sydney’s only social greyhound racing club ‘gutted’ by NSW ban
Trainers at Potts Park — Sydney’s first and only social greyhound racing club — say they are “devastated” by a decision to shut down racing in NSW.
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TRAINERS at Potts Park — Sydney’s first and only social greyhound racing club — say they are “devastated” by the decision to shut down racing in NSW.
Last Thursday, Premier Mike Baird announced the industry would be closed completely from July next year. Hours later, crisis hit Greyhound Racing NSW suspended racing for seven days.
Potts Park Greyhound Racing Club, in Yagoona, is the only social club of its kind in Sydney. Director Ron Marsden has been breeding and racing dogs for 50 years.
He told The Express trainers had been left devastated by the decision.
“It is gut-wrenching,” he said. “I was on holiday in the Northern Territory at Alice Springs Airport when they gave me the news … the whole trip on the plane home, I just felt empty.”
Mr Marsden, 63, from Condell Park, said he got his first greyhound at the age of 13 using money scraped together from odd jobs.
“I was walking my father’s dogs since the age of three, my whole family have had dogs, my dad and all my uncles had them,” he said.
He currently has two racing dogs and a breeding bitch.
About 80 trainers meet several times a month at the Yagoona club which has operated for about 50 years.
One trainer, who asked not to be named, has taken his dogs to the track for about six years.
He said most members were long-time hobbyists.
“It’s devastating because it’s our life, that’s what we do,” he said. “We talk about our dogs, what we are going to do with them, the races we are waiting for, the way we are breeding them, the character of each dog.”
Potts Park is a not a TAB approved track, which means racing there attracts very little prize money.
“The people there aren’t racing for profit, the prize money barely covers a week’s worth of costs (to keep greyhounds), they’re racing for the passion and the sport that they love,” he said.
The ban was welcomed by the RSPCA which has a shelter near Potts Park.
“The Special Commission of Inquiry has demonstrated that cruelty is intertwined into every level of this sport,” RSPCA Australia scientific officer Dr Jade Norris said.
“Greyhounds have been regarded as disposable objects for far too long — it’s time to treat these graceful and intelligent animals with the respect they deserve.”
Mr Marsden said the industry had been working on cleaning up the sport since the live-baiting scandal first came to light and would fight the ban.
He said meetings at the club would continue until next July. “It won’t be wound up, but it really will affect the income of the (Arena Sports Club),” he said.
The Express contacted Arena Sports Club, which owns the greyhound track, for comment but they did not respond.
HAMMER BLOW FOR DOGGIE LOVERS
Antony Field | COMMENT
The decision to shut down the greyhound racing industry is a hammer blow for the thousands of people who follow the sport – trainers, owners, punters and spectators.
The killing of greyhounds not fit for racing and the use of live baiting is a black mark on the industry but the question is should all be punished for the wrongdoings of a few?
I agree that those trainers and owners who engage in these cruel practices should be sent packing, but spare a thought for those who engage in greyhound racing not for the money, but for the fun, friendship and sense of camaraderie a night out at the dogs can bring.
This sums up the situation at Yagoona’s Potts Park, a non-TAB track and Sydney’s only social greyhound club.
It would be a real shame if this track was closed, but Premier Mike Baird seems undeterred by opposition.
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