Left: Battle Star’s owner Val Rose and handler, granddaughter Jess Hopkins, were relieved and thrilled with the dog’s first race back at Healesville after it was injured in the catching pen in May. Battle Star came in three lengths ahead of Vozh and Jacko Milne in 18.78 on Saturday.DRAMA, excitement, emotion, speed … it was all happening on the weekend, and it wasn’t the Phillip Island Grand Prix!
Greyhound racing at Healesville is on a roll and as the club’s more than $350,000 investment in infrastructure went on show over two days of racing, Healesville Greyhound Club president Gary Thorneycroft said the crowd was the biggest for years.
“One of the things we’ve done over the winter break is revamp the kennel block and made it more greyhound, trainer and staff friendly,” Thorneycroft said.
The block now includes new facilities for the stewards, administration and staff amenities and a new veterinary clinic is on the way.
The patrons have also fared well in the winter “working bee”, which was overseen by club manager Ken Hutchinson.
A new decked cafe area, glass partitions around the betting ring, new tables and chairs on the lawn area, automatic closing on the boxes, full TAB and two massive water tanks, aimed at making the track self-sufficient in terms of keeping it in peak racing condition, are all part of what Thorneycroft says has put the track among the best in terms of race and spectator facilities in Victoria.
“The Greyhound Racing Control Board has shown a lot of faith in the club over the last couple of years and spent a lot of money to make it an ‘A’ Class race track,” he said.
And the investment has paid off with increases all round.
“The nominations have increased phenomenally. We don’t have any problem filling 12 race programs,” said Thorneycroft, who has been with the club for 25 years and remembers only too well the volunteer effort of raising funds from bingo nights, and the hard slog physical investment put in to get the 340-metre grass track (the only straight track in Victoria), and facilities built.
While people come from all over to race, he said the committee is still made up of locals and the original concept of being a family track is as strong as ever.
If there is any hint of disappointment, it’s that the wider Yarra Valley community hasn’t embraced the opportunity to include a day at the dogs as part of their social calendar.
“It really is a great family day out,” Thorneycroft said.
“We’ve got a beautiful relaxing setting, lots of safe lawn area and a playground for the kids and the opportunity to get up close to the action on the track.
“With all the improvements it’s better than ever.
“We’re looking now for a bit more interest from the local community,” he said.
Greyhound racing is on Sundaysfor the next three weeks, 21, 28 October and 4 November, returning to Saturday racing on 10 November.
