Dubbo Greyhound Racing Club is just one of 10 around the state which will continue to host meetings as restrictions around travel during the coronavirus pandemic ramp up.
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Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) announced on Monday evening a temporary closure of 70% of racing venues and the formation of seven strategically placed zones where meetings may be held.
The zones, outside of Sydney, have been designed in order to limit travel and the risk around the spread of coronavirus.
Ten tracks will be open but no more than 50 participants will be allowed at each venue at a time.
Dubbo's Dawson Park is one of the 10, with racing to return to the Thursday afternoon time slot for the time being.
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Th other tracks are Bathurst, Bulli, Dapto, Richmond, Grafton, The Gardens (Newcastle), Goulburn, Gunnedah and Wagga Wagga.
"Dubbo is fortunate enough to be one of the clubs going ahead," Dubbo Greyhound Racing Club president Shayne Stiff said.
"The nominations, fields, and trainers we've had is big and we're one of the better tracks in the state and that's why I'm positive we've been chosen.
"We continually have 10 or 11 races with full fields and it's good for racing in our zone.
"You can still have a bet and watch and we're doing what we can to keep tens of thousands of people employed."
All feature races around the state - including the Golden Easter Egg at Wentworth Park - have also been put on hold, with a rescheduled date for May's Dubbo Gold Cup heats and $25,000 final not yet set.
Stiff spent time with GRNSW officials on the weekend as plans were made to keep racing going and ensure the ongoing employment of all those in the industry.
Stiff said GRNSW CEO Tony Mestrov and Matthew Tutt of the Greyhound Welfare Integrity Unit deserved a huge amount of credit for putting in the work and making the tough decisions.
Mestrov confirmed in Monday's announcement strict biosecurity measures would also be stringently enforced at the 10 tracke remaining open.
As well as no public allowed and only 50 participants on hand at once, there is now no interstate greyhounds or trainers will be allowed to race in NSW, new pre-race kennelling protocol including designated timing and social distancing for trainers, no kennelling at trials, changes in food and drinks services at tracks, and best practice hygiene measures taken at each club for both participants and greyhounds.
"It's been put in place to keep things ticking over but we know the goalposts are moving almost hourly and strategies will be in place for one hour, one day, one month, and eon year," Stiff said, adding he hopes long-term plans aren't needed.
In terms of who races in what region, Stiff said it is about common sense with most trainers sticking to current locations and tracks they race at.
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
