Top:Australia’s first straight track makes Healesville unique.
By Kath Gannaway
SAVING a deluge this week, greyhound racing is set to go in Healesville this Sunday.
Greyhound Victoria and the Healesville Greyhound Association this year announced the move to Sunday, all-year-round racing, and Sky Channel television coverage for the first time, but Melbourne’s return to a wet winter put plans on hold.
“Last year we trialled all winter long but this year we’ve had 11 inches more rain than in the previous year, and it has had an impact,” said Healesville Greyhound Association manager Gerry Sneyders.
“It made the surface impossible to race on, but we are confident we will be back, better than ever on Sunday,” he said.
Greyhound racing was introduced to Healesville when the only straight track in Australia opened at the picturesque base of Mt Riddell more than 25 years ago.
Mr Sneyders said greyhound racing in Healesville was bounding ahead with a huge investment in recent years on infrastructure aimed at improving the facilities not only for the greyhound racing fraternity, but to encourage the general public to make “a day at the dogs” a regular family day out.
Half a million dollars was spent on updating the kennel and administration block, $150,000 on a new lure system, $300,000 on a new judge’s tower and hundreds of thousands of dollars on improving the cafe, catering, betting, playground and grounds areas.
“It’s a great place for families, for birthdays, bucks groups and, with Christmas coming up, for end-of-year break-ups or family gatherings. We’re already taking bookings for Boxing Day,” Mr Sneyders said.
Races start at 11am with the last race just after 2pm.
Mr Sneyders said that while Healesville had always had TAB facilities on course, the opportunity for people to see greyhound racing at Healesville on Sky Channel 2 was not only a real bonus for the association, but for Healesville.
“We have a beautiful setting here for racing and for the family to just get out and enjoy a race day with a difference,” Mr Sneyders said.
“We’re really looking forward to racing here at Healesville from now on.”
