STILL ON: Moree Greyhound Racing Club secretary Helen Ayre is preparing for another fight to regain lost race dates after the club was last Friday suspended by Greyhound Racing NSW until December 31. Photo: Bill Polous
MOREE Greyhound Racing Club (MGRC) will press ahead with today's Outback Fly-Outback Sprint meeting part of a huge three-day carnival that began nine days ago despite having its registration suspended by Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) until December 31.
The GRNSW board issued the suspension late last Friday after determining that the Moree club had not complied with the industry's operating standards a condition of registration for every greyhound racing club in NSW.
It is understood the suspension was handed out after GRNSW did not receive necessary paperwork and bookkeeping by a due date.
However, MGRC secretary Helen Ayre said she believed everything had been in order.
"All operating standard (requirements) due on September 30 have been met. Our bookkeeper had been satisfied that our documents had been submitted and that her professional duty of care was met," Ayre said.
"There is no (electronic) return confirmation (by GRNSW), as its system does not acknowledge receipt.
"When I received notification that the lodgement had not been received I was horrified, knowing full well we were required to adhere to strict conditions of registration.
"I did everything possible to submit the required standards.
"On Friday afternoon I lodged a certificate of currency. To my horror it was rejected by GRNSW, with a 'blacklisted' media release about it, and at about 4.30pm we received the suspension."
Fighting officialdom to save the greyhound racing industry in Moree is nothing new for the embattled club, which earlier this year was issued a similar suspension.
However, through the work of Ayre and former Casino Greyhound Racing Club secretary Bruce Knight, the club was re-licensed in March, on the strict proviso that operating standards were met.
The club, which stages more than 20 meetings per year, including heats and a final of the GRNSW Country Challenge series, also staved off two closures more than 10 years ago.
A third closure threatened in 2009, however a rally of public support, as well as intervention by member for Barwon Kevin Humphries, brought the club back on track.
"The fight will begin again ... if I've got any fight in me," Ayre said.
"We are proving that we are financial. Everything is rolling along nicely. The club is operating well and the trainers are happy they travel from across three states to come and race here."
In a GRNSW media release issued at the weekend, chief executive Brent Hogan said the MGRC had a history of non-compliance.
"GRNSW regard the operating standards as a vital component of race club administration, because they ensure adequate levels of service, efficiency, solvency, safety and accountability," Hogan said.
"When the Moree Greyhound Racing Club was granted its registration in March this year it was on the condition that the club strictly complied with all 16 operating standards.
"The Moree club has once again failed to meet this condition. Due to this non-compliance, as well as the club's history, the board was left with no other option but to suspend its registration until the end of the year."
Today's rich 12-race card gets under way at 1.30pm, however the club is not permitted to conduct races or trials afterwards.
The club is also required in December to submit a new registration application demonstrating its compliance with all 16 operating standards before being considered for re-registration.
