NSW GWIC pulls no punches with blame for Wenty Park abandonment
The NSW Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission (GWIC) has left industry participants in no confusion as to who is to blame for the sudden late abandonment of the Wentworth Park greyhound races on Thursday night (August 1, 2024).
While many other interstate greyhound tracks were holding their state qualifying heats for the 2024 National Sprint and Distance Championships, the 10 race Wentworth Park card on Thursday night was fortunately just a lower-grade meeting without feature races.
But NSW greyhound owners and trainers were left confused and frustrated when the whole race program was abandoned three hours prior to the first race.
Adding to the confusion was the fact that there had only been very light showers in the area that afternoon.
Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) was the first to announce the abandonment on social media, saying, “The meeting scheduled for @wentyparkgreystonight 1.8.24 has been abandoned due to the state of the track.”
GWIC stewards were quick to confirm the cancellation, saying, “Please note the Wentworth Park race meeting set down for decision tonight has been abandoned due to the state of the track.”
While owners and trainers performed u-turns and headed back to their home bases, GWIC Chief Operating Officer (COO), Wade Birch, reportedly let participant’s know exactly who was to blame for the late change and the state of the track.
“The first time we became aware that there was an issue was upon arrival at the track, which is very disappointing,” Birch said.
“There are processes in place for these issues, but for them to work, they need to be adhered to, and the clubs need to be honest and transparent with us.
“Participants need to be front of mind, and in this instance, they’ve been greatly let down.
“We need to treat participants like they deserve to be treated.
“The industry needs to be better.
“It’s extremely frustrating for all involved.”
Without referring to them by name, Birch was clearly suggesting participant’s should direct their frustration with the track presentation directly towards the NSW Greyhound Breeders Owners and Trainers Association (GBOTA), who run racing at Wentworth Park.
The GBOTA has yet to make a public statement regarding their blame or otherwise with regard to the substandard track presentation.
It is understood that the track was harrowed on Monday ahead of the state qualifying heats of the NSW National Sprint Championship on Saturday night, August 3.
At this stage, Saturday night’s Wentworth Park meeting is expected to go ahead as scheduled.