Greyhound racing to resume next week

GREYHOUND racing behind closed doors will be back at Tralee Track at the end of next week.

The relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions, announced on Friday last, has made this possible, with the likelihood that next week’s return will take the form of two weekend meetings, likely to be on Friday and Saturday.

According to Declan Dowling, sales and operations manager at the Oakview venue, the staging of the two meetings will depend on the number of entries available. Trials returned on Monday of this week and will run until this Saturday, with two days given over to unrecorded trials.

“We are absolutely delighted to be getting back to business; everyone is just bursting for action again,” said Dowling. “It has been a long wait since March 24, when we staged our last race meeting.

“It will be nice to get back with two weekend meetings next week, though that depends on the availability of entries. Some owners and trainers may feel that their greyhounds are not yet fit enough, but others will have their charges ready.

“SIS are very keen to get their meetings going again and we will be facilitating them in every way we can.”

The restaurant at Tralee Track will open on the first week of July, with table service being provided, and the Tote will be in operation. The turnstile for entry will not be operating, with admission through the security zone.

For the period of the lockdown, the Irish Greyhound Board introduced a greyhound care payment scheme and the expenditure on this amounted to €1.34 million, with the connections of 6,647 greyhounds benefiting.

The HSE guidelines, including social distancing, will be strictly adhered to at all times and, for trials, specific rules will apply for those bringing greyhounds, among them:

Racing sheet and muzzle for each greyhound; One collar and lead per greyhound; One Walking Out cover, should such be required; One pan per greyhound; One container of water/ electrolyte solution per greyhound. Those who like to administer post-trial fluids to their greyhounds in their vehicle after racing must leave the water/ electrolyte solution in their vehicle, along with pan; Petroleum jelly allowed, if required.