A: No, it doesn’t mean that at all. Restrictions have not been lifted or eased at all. Biosecurity is still at the forefront of what we are doing in keeping everyone safe and racing going ahead. At the time GRNSW and GWIC had been continually reviewing the race day protocols around the kennelling and racing of greyhounds, to adhere to the measures previously communicated to industry. Given the resource intensive approach of the process, the decision was made to put the 10-race limit on race meetings. We have continued to review the process and decided to raise that limit to 11 races while still meeting all the required safety levels.
A: I spoke last week when I was asked about Gosford being the black sheep. I said it is not the only venue currently not being used in the state and that we have shown over the past few weeks that we are trying to get as many racing options open, and are mindful that we do need to have as many tracks back racing ASAP and Gosford is on that list. As for Maitland, we had 92 nominations and have programmed 11 races. We opened Maitland in the Hunter region – might I add, after significant feedback from participants – to give trainers a different type of track to LADBROKES GARDENS to race at.
A: Looking at the program I can see there are 600m and 715m Non Grades programmed for May 1, May 15, and a 600m Non Grade on May 22.
A: We will not be solely guided by what other sports are doing. As I have said all along, we will guided by the information given to us by the Government and health authorities. We have been discussing and looking at plans for the next phase of COVID-19 restrictions, and will be ready to move on these when – and when we are told – it is deemed the right time.
A: There were two races – the FFA and a 2/3/4 grade both over 420m – with a vacant box but that was all. We had 160 nominations for the meeting with Masters 420m, NG 520m and NG 635m advertised. There were simply too many nominations over the 520m & 420m to justify running a 259m event. With the extra meetings provided for in the northern rivers, a top grade 259m event is likely to be drawn in the next meeting or two.
A: We announced only this week that 10 meetings during this current racing schedule will carry Wednesday city prizemoney, and that is spread across all regions, so I find it difficult to say we are only looking after the top trainers. We have put all these processes in place to help and, as best we can, cater for all participants, country, city, regional, those who have city class dogs, and those who don’t. We will make announcements around Wentworth Park when the appropriate time comes.
A: Thank you for your email, and I echo the sentiments that I want to congratulate all participants and staff who have rallied together through this, and accepted the changes which needed to be made. We are learning numerous things for the changes and restrictions which have been put in place, and where applicable we will put things into practice when we come out of COVID-19.