Moree Greyhounds Back From Ban & Prepare For Carnival
Moree Greyhound Racing Club is back in the boxes and preparing for a bumper October long weekend carnival after serving a one-month suspension handed down by the Greyhound and Harness Racing Regulatory Authority.
The club was suspended and fined $990 for allowing committeeman Gary Moore to act as lure-driver in races where his wife Bobby – one of Moree's leading trainers – had runners engaged.
“It appears rather pointed at the club,” Moree president Terry Wilson said.
“Industry authorities tried to cut back our meetings and failed.
“Now they pull a stunt like this.
“There was nothing untoward going on.
“The simple fact is our club largely operates on voluntary help and we cannot find – or really afford – a full-time lure-driver to attend all meetings.
“Having volunteers perform these tasks helps the club keep down operating costs,” he said.
“Gary has been driving the lure for 15 years and as far as the club is aware there hasn't been an official complaint made or received against him.”
The club resumed racing last weekend, with Moore replaced by Gunnedah hare-driver Danny Hubbard.
Ironically, Bobby Moore trained three winners in the absence of her husband.
Little Whirlwind (5/4-on fav), My Force (11/8-on fav) and Bobby Enforcer (evens fav) all saluted, giving the kennel plenty of arsenal for the Moree club's huge long weekend carnival, which features finals of the NSW GBOTA Outback Fly and Moree Services Club Outback Sprint as well as the Max Hobday and Joe Sabine Memorial Trophy.
Heats of the 302m Fly and 421m Sprint will be decided tomorrow, with the 10 fastest dogs (two reserves) facing off on October 6.
“These finals are our biggest events of the year and the carnival could be one of the best judging by the quality of greyhounds nominated,” Wilson said.
Courtesy : Geoff Newling, Northern Daily Leader