This year’s Coonamble Long Weekend carnival will have a slightly different feel to most, with everyone who attends knowing in the back of their mind it could be the last time it goes ahead.
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The event is a special one, not just for the town, but also for the owners and trainers who pencil it into their calendar every year and prepare dogs with the carnival in mind.
It is the biggest thing to happen in Coonamble each year, bringing in approximately $2.8 million for the town’s economy and filling up pubs, clubs and hotels.
The looming introduction of the greyhound ban in July 2016 could bring the carnival to an abrupt end, although most in the town have their fingers and toes crossed that it will get a reprieve.
“It’s not just the weekend that brings money to the town,” Dubbo Racing Club president Shayne Stiff said.
“You have trainers going there for six to eight weeks before to trial their dogs on the grass track. They stay in motels, eat their meals out and they bring a lot of money to the town.
“The weekend is the highlight but it really is an eight-week event.”
Stiff said the carnival is truly unique and a highlight on the greyhound racing calendar. He said he and partner Charmaine Roberts loved taking part each year.
“The whole weekend is brilliant. We certainly hope it won’t be the last time it goes ahead,” Stiff said.
The whole weekend is brilliant. We certainly hope it won’t be the last time it goes ahead.
- Shayne Stiff
“It really has some incredible racing but it is also a fantastic social occasion.
“I have been going for 25 years, I have only missed one or two and since Charmaine and I have been together we have always focused on it.”
The Calcutta held on Sunday was one of the highlights, Stiff said, with $10,000 up for grabs, while a total of $100,000 in race prizemoney is on offer over the three days of racing.
Monday is the conclusion of the carnival and the final meeting has 14 races, with 13 of them finals.
“There is plenty of punting, plenty of drinking and plenty of great racing goes on,” Stiff said.
Racing gets underway on Friday with two meetings in the afternoon and evening, both with 14 races.
Stiff said the heats of the Rooster Townsend Memorial 400-metre maiden were worth keeping an eye on, especially with Star Track Zarr in the opening heat.
The dog is progeny of Shakey Jakey and Ay Jar Zarr and while it is only his first start, Stiff said there would be plenty of people keeping an eye on the well-bred runner.
The Rob Sharpe Memorial was shaping up to be a good race with Jeanie, Takalo Gem, Tralee Elsa and Sketchy Jai all expected to do well.
The night meeting includes three heats of the Facebook Friends of Coonamble stakes with strong line-ups. The Terminus Hotel Stakes looks to be a strong chance for home town trainer Rhonda Milstead with her trio Katey, Merly and Davey all in strong contention.
NSW opposition leader Luke Foley will be a special guest at the carnival.
