GRNSW CEO backs 10-dog straight-track racing under lights
Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) CEO Steve Griffin has identified the expansion of straight track racing as a key component of the sport’s future, citing safety benefits, increased wagering potential, and a more competitive racing product.
Griffin’s plans include implementing ten-dog straight track races under lights, offering a unique racing format that could set NSW apart from other jurisdictions.
“We need to make a point of difference and we can’t continue to operate the same way we have for the past 20 years. We need to be different and do different,” Griffin said.
“Straight track racing is very safe, and it’ll bring in the pari-mutuel, so we look to grow that part of the sport.”
Straight track racing is widely recognised as the safest form of greyhound racing, significantly reducing interference and injuries compared to traditional oval tracks.
Griffin has emphasised that animal welfare is at the forefront of all decisions, and the move towards more straight-track events aligns with this commitment.
Research is also being conducted into astroturf surfaces as an alternative to grass tracks, aiming to lower maintenance costs while reducing slippage and injury risks.
Beyond safety, Griffin sees straight-track racing as a way to enhance the industry’s financial outlook.
With ten-dog fields, the potential for increased wagering turnover with the top greyhound bookmakers is substantial, providing an additional revenue stream for GRNSW and its participants.
“It’s about creating a product that bettors find attractive, while at the same time making racing safer and more sustainable,” Griffin added.
The move to expand straight track racing represents a major shift in NSW greyhound racing’s approach, one that could redefine the sport in the state.
If the new GRNSW CEO , is indeed serious regarding greyhound safety and welfare, his first move would be to remove bend starts. Then the debate regarding straight racing can begin, and I believe that prospect certainly has merit.