Greyhound races head north to beat NSW ban

EXTRA Queensland greyhound races have been scheduled this week to cater for an influx of northern rivers NSW greyhounds hit by the ban south of the border.

EXTRA Queensland greyhound races have been scheduled this week to cater for an influx of northern rivers NSW greyhounds hit by the ban south of the border.

The Albion Park twilight greyhound meeting tomorrow will feature 12 races, an increase on the usual 10, as the ramifications of the NSW shutdown hit home.

While the NSW ban does not kick in until July 1 next year, there has been an immediate seven-day suspension of NSW greyhound racing.

Grafton is the only NSW greyhound venue currently allowed to race, due to a multi-code carnival there this week.

It means many more northern rivers greyhounds are on their way over the border to race this week.

There are 180 nominations for Albion Park races tomorrow – up from the normal 140 – and also many more nominations for the Ipswich meeting on Friday. If the NSW ban goes ahead next year, it is likely there will be more NSW greyhounds crossing the border to race.

While it is too early to judge how many NSW trainers may relocate north, Queensland greyhound officials have ­extended the welcome mat.

Queensland Racing Minister Grace Grace yesterday ­reiterated to the state greyhound industry they would not be wiped out like their NSW colleagues.

Queensland greyhound officials were confident their industry was secure when they emerged from a meeting with Ms Grace at Albion Park.

But there are plenty of challenging times ahead for the Queensland industry.

Top breeder and trainer Tony Apap, who has a greyhound property at Gatton, said breeders would do it tough and there would be less racing in 18 months.

“The breeding industry has taken a hammering for many years now and things are only going to get worse after this ban in NSW,” Apap said. “It will have an impact in 18 months, when there is going to be a shortage of (racing) greyhounds.

“There will be a lot less people breeding greyhounds so there will be a lot fewer pups coming through. And it will make it much harder for breeders to sell pups.”

One potential result of the NSW ban would be more ­wagering in Queensland.

Opposition racing spokesman Jon Krause said the LNP was committed to animal welfare, but did not want to see the industry wiped out.

Originally published as Greyhound races head north to beat NSW ban