Sadly, eleven greyhounds lost their lives on tracks at an astonishing rate in the first two weeks of May.
According to race records some days were extra deadly, with an unprecedented six greyhounds dying in just three days. Three deaths occurred in the catching pen. Four catastrophic neck/spinal injuries resulted in death.
Each of these horror statistics could be a record.
Suspiciously, the rate of death came to an abrupt halt and there wasn’t another greyhound loss until 28 May. Almost as if they could turn off the tap.
The individual stories are heartbreaking.
Poor Fly Calypso, aged 2, had been raced three times over 15 days in Launceston Tasmania when she won her fourth and final race before colliding with the catching pen gate and suffering a catastrophic spinal injury. She was euthanised by the on-track vet.
Fly Calypso was not the only greyhound to break a back or neck in May. Polar Express, again just 2, collided with the rail at Richmond’s straight track in NSW on 1 May. He fractured his skull and back and was trampled on by the other dogs. He died on the track, his career spanning less than three months.
Zipping Jade also collided in the catching pen at Northam WA on 2 May, breaking her leg and neck in her 73rd start. She was euthanised after winning nearly $25,000 for her connections. The meet was abandoned following her death due to “lure issues”.
In another catching pen tragedy, six year old Kinate collapsed and died of a heart attack in his 133rd start at Rockhampton Qld. He was simply raced to death and had won nearly $24,000.
Major Tom Fury had been raced 4 times in 12 days when he had a collision on the first turn at Murray Bridge track in SA and was “dragged down” by other greyhounds. He was 2 and on his 57th start. (His trainer also trains Filthy Phantom, who at 6 years old has had at least 298 starts for $38,731 in winnings and has been forced to race 3 times in 8 days on more than one occasion.)
Murray Bridge also proved deadly for Cold Esky, nearly 3, when he collided with other greyhounds on the first turn and fractured his leg. He was euthanised by the on track vet.
Still in SA, Gawler track saw the death of Bok Choy Burner who fell at the back straight turn and fractured his hock. He was just two years old.
NSW tracks killed 3 greyhounds in May. My Girl Sonny fractured her hock during a collision at the first turn and was euthanised. She had been raced two days previously. Gunnedah track killed Gulgong Rocket who was 2 when he collided on the back straight turn and suffered a compound fracture of his radius and ulna (front leg). His short 4 month career included being raced 6 times in 7 weeks.
Darwin track was fatal in early May for My Shout Jess who fell on the back straight and most likely as a result of a spinal injury, suffered bilateral hind leg paralysis. She didn’t get to go home.
What do all these lethal tracks have in common?
In each stewards’ report the tracks were ALL claimed to be in “good” condition. “Good” clearly does not mean “safe”.
Track deaths
NSW 3
SA 3 (two at the “state of the art” Murray Bridge track)
WA 3 (in a very small sized industry)
NT 1
QLD 1
TAS 1
RIP
Polar Express Aged 2 Died Richmond NSW
Cold Esky Aged 2 Killed Murray Bridge SA
Zipping Jade 3 and a half Killed Northam WA
Sandgroper Barely 2 Killed Cannington WA
Bok Choy Burner 2 Killed Gawler SA
My Girl Sonny 2 and a half Killed The Gardens NSW
My Shout Jess Aged 2 Killed Darwin NT
Kinate Six and a half Died Rockhampton Qld
Major Tom Fury Aged 2 Killed Murray Bridge SA
Fly Calypso 2 and a half Killed Launceston Tas
Pecan Monelli 2 and a half Killed Mandurah WA
Gulgong Rocket Aged 2 Killed Gunnedah NSW
Image shows the pain of Major Tom Fury