THE region's recent rainfall has cast doubt over the Tamworth Greyhound Racing Club's annual cup carnival.
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Traditionally held over three days, April 27, May 4 and 11, the carnival was expected to attract trainers from across the state.
However, with more than 40mm of rain falling on Tamworth last Saturday, the club was forced to cancel its first non-TAB meeting of 2019.
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Club president Robert Munn told the Leader the cancellation and restrictions placed on the club by Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) had left the carnival "in limbo".
"At this stage our next meeting is scheduled for April 27, but that won't give trainers enough time to trial their dogs at the track ahead of a race," Munn said.
"One of the conditions implemented by GRNSW since the completion of our track upgrade was that every dog had to trial at the track before it could race.
"With that in place I really think we will struggle to attract visiting trainers to the carnival like we have in the past."
Munn said he had contacted GRNSW to try and reschedule the missed meeting.
"We will have to wait to see what happens," he said.
Despite the uncertainty regarding the carnival, Tamworth will still host trial meetings on Tuesdays and Sundays for the foreseeable future.
"We actually held a trial meeting on Tuesday," Munn said.
"There was about 25 dogs there, which is a huge turnout for us.
"The track held up really well after the rain and I think it is still in really good shape."
Munn said the strong attendance at trial meetings was an indication of the support local trainers are showing for the track.
"I really don't think we will struggle to get local trainers to take part in the carnival," he said.
"Being local, they have the ability to trial here when it suits.
"But for trainers from places such as Casino, who have come here in the past, having to trial before you can race is pretty unfeasible and makes it hard for them.
"That new policy and only being able to hold six-dog races will have an impact on the carnival in my opinion."
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
