Darwin Greyhound Association manager Greg Aldam says Winnellie Park track in good condition after extraordinary no-result in Chief Minister’s Cup race

DARWIN Greyhound Association manager Greg Aldam has dismissed any lingering concerns over the state of the Winnellie Park track after Sunday night’s extraordinary no-result ruling.

Queensland greyhound trainer Tom Tzouvelis with past star runners he has brought to Darwin, Soft Sand and Del Rey. Tzouvelis’ Sunburst won the Chief Minister’s Cup at Winnellie Park last Sunday before it was ruled a no-result. Picture: Keri Megelus

DARWIN Greyhound Association manager Greg Aldam has dismissed any lingering concerns over the state of the Winnellie Park track after Sunday night’s extraordinary no-result ruling.

DGA officials, trainers and a big crowd were left stunned when the Listed event – the first in the club’s history – was ruled a no-race.

That was due to a scrimmage on the first turn out of the straight in the 537m event resulted in a number of dogs falling.

One runner turned around to run back up the home straight face-on to the others who were finishing off the race.

This had the potential to cause interference to the other dogs racing, so the race was deemed a no-race by the stewards at the track.

Veteran trainer Graeme Ferns’ two-year-old bitch Gippsland Storms was injured during the incident.

“Graeme’s dog is a bit bruised and battered, but it will be back in a few weeks,” Aldam said. “He’s been really supportive (of the track upgrades).”

Aldam dismissed any concerns people in the industry might have over the state of the track, with extensive improvement works only recently completed for this year’s Darwin Cup Carnival.

“The track is racing well and safe,” Aldam said.

“It’s now high-maintenance, but we feel like we’ve got a handle on it.

“In general, the feedback about the track has been extremely supportive.

“(Western Australian trainer) Tim Mullany told me he couldn’t be happier with it.”

DGA president Robbie Brennan and committee member Richard Carr are happy with the state of the Winnellie Park track after improvements were made to it. Picture: Che Chorley

Aldam said the lucrative total $21,250 on offer was divided up among all eight trainers. “That was a recommendation of the DGA committee, which was a terrific gesture,” he said.

“(Queensland trainer) Tom Tszouvelis had the first runner (Sunburst) past the line, so naturally he was disappointed.

“But he took the stewards’ decision really well, so full credit to Tom.”

In light of recent criticism over the state of the Winnellie Park track, the DGA committee made a collective decision to hire an expert track consultant from Victoria.

And this is why greyhound officials are confident there will not be a repeat of last Sunday’s no-result from the Chief Minister’s Cup heading into this Sunday’s Darwin Cup heats.

Cory Hiscock, from The Meadows, was hired by the DGA to come up and inspect its track after some dogs picked up niggling injuries.

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Reports also emerged that some current and former trainers carried out their own inspection, and found bottles, cans and barbed wire on the surface. Aldam said he was not aware of those objects on the Winnellie Park track.

“Everyone is entitled to their opinion. But I’ve never seen any of those objects on the track in my seven years at this club,” Aldam said.

“And I’d like to say Sage Contracting have been sensational with their work on the track. This is the first full refurbishment it’s had in 30 years.”

Aldam said he had no concerns about the Winnellie Park track heading into the heats of the Group 3 Darwin Cup this Sunday night.

“The heats will no doubt provide plenty more high-quality greyhound racing action,” he said. “It is what it is, and it was handled really well by the stewards.

“On the corner, if a dog clips the heels of a runner in front it can have a domino effect on the race. That’s racing.

“It’s no different to the effect a fall can have at the horse racing or trots.”