Racing ban reversal may not be enough to save Potts Park
POTTS Park Greyhound Racing Club director Ron Marsden says the Yagoona-based club may not survive even if the Baird government overturns the ban on racing. He says they won’t fund out until June.
The Express
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A BAIRD Government backflip on banning greyhound racing may not be enough to save the Greyhounds Racing & Social Club at Yagoona.
Club director Ron Marsden welcomed reports that the ban, due to come into effect next July, would be reversed, but he believes some country tracks may still be axed, and Potts Park could be one of them.
Potts Park, Sydney’s only social greyhound racing track, is a non-TAB venue and therefore classified as a country track.
“Our future is up in the air,” Mr Marsden said. “We won’t know what’s happening until next June, when they hand out race dates.
“So for the next eight months we won’t know which country tracks will stay and which tracks, if any, are closed.
“But once the ban is off, at least we will still have greyhound racing in NSW.
“That was our main priority, and that’s exciting news, even if we do have to sacrifice some tracks.”
Premier Mike Baird was expected to announce a reversal of his greyhound racing ban this week, based on industry guarantees of an end to the slaughter of dogs and tough new penalties for animal cruelty.
Mr Marsden said the turnaround could mean a reprieve for 15 to 20 Saturday jobs at the Arena Sports Club at Potts Park, which provides food and function space at the track.
Mr Marsden, 63, said trainers who used Potts Park had been struggling to come to terms with the ban.
“My father had greyhounds before I was born … when I retired I just wanted to train my greyhounds,” he said.
“Greyhounds are my life.”
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