RQ MAKES DECISION ON TRACK

THE upcoming FNQ horse racing carnival is set to benefit following Racing Queensland’s decision to close the Cairns greyhound track at the end of the month.

After months of deliberation about the future of Cannon Park as a greyhound trialling facility, RQ made the decision yesterday morning to close the track.

RQ advised stakeholders that the use of Cannon Park as a training and trialling facility for greyhound participants in Cairns would conclude at the end of March.

“Since late June, a total of 20 trials have been conducted in Cairns, with minimal uptake from local participants,” RQ said in a statement.

“On average, just three greyhounds per meeting have trialled at the facility during this period.

“However, eight individual trainers have received a travel subsidy to race in Townsville, which will be extended until the end of the calendar year.”

CJC general manager John Cameron says it is time to move on from the greyhound industry in FNQ.

“It is now imperative that the greyhound track and the inner track can now be developed further as a positive to enable the Cairns Amateurs to grow and expand that area for marquees,” Cameron said.

Cameron is still concerned that so much of the greyhound club’s rusting equipment is still on site and their important memorabilia has yet to be collected.

“Under no circumstances should Cairns Jockey Club be disadvantaged due to the failing of Cairns Greyhounds or the mess that is left behind,” Cameron said.

“Now the decision has been made to no longer continue training, the process must have some urgency to benefit stakeholders and have any money owing paid to suppliers.”

The office of the Minister for Racing informed CJC of the decision via email yesterday morning.

“I thank you for your management of the greyhound track since December 2018 and for all your efforts to achieve the best possible outcome for the racing industry in Cairns,” the letter said.

Early last month, CJC officials declared they were seeking urgent action from RQ to resolve the “dysfunctional and unsustainable” Cairns Greyhound Racing Club.

RQ wound up the club in late 2018 after abandoned meetings marred the club in the second half of that year.

While the club is not licensed to conduct race meetings anymore, the track had remained open as a training and trialling track.