By LIAM DURKIN
IF you’re going to try and take racing away from Traralgon, expect a fight.
Just as local horse trainers did when the then Traralgon Racing Club folded 22 years ago, those who call Glenview Park home for their greyhounds are also not backing down.
The local horse racing industry rallied to see the sport continue in Traralgon all those years ago, and now the same appears to apply for the besieged Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club.
The pleas of local greyhound trainers was heard last week, in a packed public meeting at Traralgon RSL.
Close to 100 people crammed the RSL function space on Monday, October 28, where a number of motions were put forward.
In a strong show of passion, the message was loud and clear – local trainers vowing to do all they could to ensure the long term viability of the sport (which employs dozens) in Traralgon.
Former Latrobe City Councillor Lisa Proctor chaired the meeting, and was joined by current sitting councillor Dale Harriman and former Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club President, Don Haley.
Haley served as club president for more than 10 years, and was noticeably emotional when speaking of the club’s plight.
The club’s Glenview Park facility has faced a litany of issues since reopening in 2021, with its supposed state-of-the-art ‘J Curve’ track plagued by misfortune.
While the track was designed to improve greyhound safety, problems with the lure system forced Greyhound Racing Victoria to suspend racing at Traralgon last July.
According to industry insiders, the lure system has led to dogs becoming startled, as it seemingly disappears from their eye sight near the finish line.
The Express understands the system, and design of the track, were implemented against the will of local trainers, and even some senior greyhound officials.
“GRV built their track, not our track,” one discerning voice from the meeting called out.
Compounding the problem has been the fact Sale Greyhound Racing Club has been administrating the Traralgon club for the last few months. Traralgon GRC had previously entered voluntary administration in July 2023.
With Sale announcing plans to construct a new track in Kilmany, there are fears Traralgon will soon be out of the picture altogether.
In the wash-up, those present voted to arrange a meeting with state racing Minister Anthony Carbines in Traralgon, alongside a number of stakeholders.
“(That the) GRV, the Sale committee and the Minister for Racing provide an update on the current options being considered to all owners, trainers and the community,” one of the motions read in part.
Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron asked Mr Carbines to visit Traralgon during his most recent sitting week. The meeting acknowledged the effort the local MP had gone to bring the greyhounds issue to light.
Trainers want to see two meetings per week at Glenview Park, and in a worse case scenario, some did not discount the possibility of calling for a vote of no confidence in the GRV board.
