Orange Slipping Track “On Track”
Situated at the Orange Harness Racing Club, the slipping track is 300m long, fully fenced and irrigated. Currently, grass cover is still establishing itself but local volunteers are confident the track will be ready for use by early July.
NSW GBOTA Chairman, Bill Mangafas, said the slipping track had been built by the NSW GBOTA for the benefit of the local participants following the closure of Orange.
“The Bathurst track, its TAB status and the increased prizemoney that is associated with it would not have occurred if not for the support of Orange members of the NSW GBOTA,” said Mr Mangafas.
“That's why we built the track and it will ensure Orange trainers are able to get their greyhounds fit and race in an economical manner.”
Area Director, Geoff Case, said that the track would be managed by the local NSW GBOTA Branch.
“The Branch will look after it and already the Branch is organising maintenance and mowing,” said Mr Case.
“There are plenty of good trainers in the area and this track will keep them in the game.”
Legendary local trainer, Rob Sharp is a great fan of the track and believes it will be a super conditioner because of its length and climb.
The Orange slipping track is another example of the NSW GBOTA's commitment to slipping tracks.
“Greyhound racing, in the future, will rely on the Industry providing training tracks as private operators are drying up,” explained Mr Mangafas.
The NSW GBOTA is also currently committed to discussions with the owners of Burns Pet Foods with a view to a slipping track also being built on their property at Rouse Hill in Metropolitan Sydney.