GREYHOUND RACING
BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
IF you build it properly, they will come.
Glenview Park will be vibrant and alive once more when the Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club hosts its first meeting in close to two years next week.
After a picnic meeting soft launch last month, Traralgon’s first greyhound meeting since July 2024 will take off next Wednesday, April 22 during the day.
Facing severe uncertainty during that vacant period of time, TGRC announced last October that familiar sporting face Nick Lecchino would be overseeing the final stages of the new track’s development and build up its business once more as manager.
Despite no real background in the industry, other than his namesake greyhound trainer cousin in Geelong, Lecchino has a wealth of experience in team management going back decades.
Sale Greyhound Racing Club took over administrative control of TGRC in early 2024, and general manager Peter Johnston floated the idea to Lecchino about coming on at Traralgon.
“They were looking for someone here, they planted the seed … I applied and I was lucky enough to be offered the role,” Lecchino told the Express.
“There was a bit of a challenge here and I was looking for a new pathway for work.
“It’s been quite exciting to see the development of the place since I started in October.”
Traralgon’s J-Curve track, which opened in 2022, has been plagued by setbacks and concerns from trainers.
The recent redevelopments has put the club in good stead, with more than 600 trials undertaken over the course of six weeks leading into its first meeting.
Photograph: Blake Metcalf-Holt
After prolonged problems with the track’s lure system, no injuries or overarching issues have been cited during these trial runs.
Lecchino has engaged with the greyhound training community since his arrival, and sought feedback, firm or light, following these trials.
Traralgon and Sale have even discussed avenues to support trainers coming from outside the area during the current fuel and cost-of-living crisis.
The new track designs introduce three additional distances for trainers (350 metres, 425m and 570m) and a puppy and training box at 298m to be utilised for less experienced dogs.
Wanting to focus on cultivating a family environment on race days, Lecchino has been pleased by what he’s seen so far, and will look to test more initiatives down the road.
“One thing we’re really focussed on is that community engagement,” he said.
“Just having people out on the deck area, watching the greyhounds run around and basically you can nearly touch them from where you’re standing.
“It’s a great atmosphere and people really enjoyed that part of it.”
Lecchino also highlighted the facilities on offer at TGRC, which has seen its function centre revitalised and in high demand since they’ve got back up and running.
Holding at least two functions a week, most namely, it hosted a headlining meet-and-greet with Brisbane Lions star and Yarram’s Josh Dunkley in late December.
Overall, TGRC’s goal is to get locals back around the club and viewing meetings regularly at the track.
“We can really grow this (for people to) come back to Traralgon for greyhound racing on a Friday night, because it use to be the place to go on a Friday night many moons ago,” Lecchino said.
Following next week’s meeting, TGRC will transition to a Friday twilight timeslot from May 1 for three weeks, and will then add a Monday meeting under lights from May 18.
TGRC is aiming to host its first cup day since Australia Day 2024 on January 15, 2027.
