Dog racing set for restart

Horsham is set to rekindle its historic connection with greyhound racing on August 1 with the first meeting at Horsham Showground since major track redevelopment.

Horsham Greyhound Racing Club manager Justin Brilliant said trainers had been trialing dogs on the revamped track for the past fortnight in preparation for the meeting.

“Everyone is really looking forward to the first meeting and the trials have been as much about getting the bugs out of us all, let alone the new track. Everyone is bit rusty,” he said.

Upgrades to power infrastructure as well as converting the track into a state-of-the-art circuit based on contemporary racing welfare standards has come at a price tag of almost $1.5-million. Redevelopment work started in October last year.

Mr Brilliant said the project had been worthwhile in ensuring and protecting the integrity of the sport in the Wimmera.

“The process has been a thorough exercise to improve the welfare of racing animals – something we all take very seriously. But it is more than that. It also enhances the overall dog-racing experience for trainers, punters and spectators alike, as well as the dogs,” he said.

“Greyhound racing has a long and proud history in the Wimmera and the Horsham club is proud to carry on the tradition.”