Wentworth Park is one of the most dangerous and controversial greyhound racetracks in Australia.
In 2020, the LNP government committed to ending dog racing after the current lease expires in 2027.
Despite fierce community opposition, the NSW Labor Government is suggesting they will allow racing to continue.
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said that the community overwhelmingly supported removing the greyhound racing track. There is an urgent need for more parkland and public amenities to support residents, workers and visitors to the area.
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Government backflip
In December 2020 the LNP Government committed to ending dog racing at the track as part of the Pyrmont Peninsula Place Strategy. It would be replaced by “newly activated, publicly accessible open space as part of a larger and enhanced parkland”.
However, in February 2024, NSW Lands and Property Minister Steve Kamper told a budget estimates hearing the government was reconsidering the future of the site, including “the continuity of some form of racing … whether it will close and what form it could take”.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore says it would be “bitterly disappointing” if Labor rips up the Coalition’s plan to move greyhound racing from Glebe’s Wentworth Park and turn the prime inner-city asset into public green space.
On 11 March 2024, the City of Sydney Council unanimously supported a Lord Mayoral Minute that “reaffirmed the City’s opposition to greyhound racing”, and urged the NSW Government to return the parkland to the community. The Lord Mayor also encouraged the community to “write to the NSW Government urging Wentworth Park to be returned to the community as public open space“.
The ugly truth
Greyhound racing at Wentworth Park has been contentious since it began in the 1930s. Focused on betting, the activity was denounced early on as a “pastime of parasites” and plagued by allegations of corruption. By the 1990s, off-course betting saw the crowds die away.
Today, Wentworth Park is supposedly one of Australia’s safest tracks. It has been upgraded under the NSW government’s $30m infrastructure scheme and is using new double-arm safety lures.
After the safety upgrade, on average four dogs were killed and 300 injured every year.
As of 9 March 2024, two dogs have been killed and 99 injured (17 seriously) at Wentworth Park in 2024.
A dangerous track that can't be made safe
Racing participants have long complained that the Wentworth Park first turn is too tight and unsafe.
In 2019 the track received a $552,895 redevelopment as part of the state government’s $30 million safety upgrade program.
The track and infrastructure project included work on the track profile and starting boxes, safety rail, and parade area.
In January 2024 the track introduced a “double-arm” lure, a safety initiative that industry leaders hoped would have a “major impact” on reducing greyhound racing injuries.
After 19 race meetings injuries jumped more than 50 percent over the same period the previous year.
Wentworth Park proves that no racetrack can be made safe and all greyhound racing is dangerous. Labor Racing Minister David Harris has refused to say if Wentworth Park meets minimum safety standards.
Doping and dog abuse
Wentworth Park features prominently in the final disciplinary action decisions published by the Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission.
A review of these disciplinary decisions reveals a litany of doping and cruelty.
In the past two years, at least seventeen trainers have been fined, suspended or disqualified following positive swabs taken from their greyhounds during race meets at Wentworth Park. Only around fifteen percent of greyhounds are actually swabbed for prohibited substances.
In many of these disciplinary hearings trainers plead guilty to take advantage of a 25 percent reduction in penalty. Welfare advocates believe the fines and suspensions are largely inadequate, and greyhounds continue to be doped. The list includes leading trainers and She’s A Pearl, “the greatest prizemoney earner”.
A Million Dollar Disgrace
The greed and cruelty of the greyhound racing industry is on full display at the Million Dollar Chase at Wentworth Park.
This is a celebration of all that is heartless and money-hungry about an industry that exploits, injures and kills dogs every day.
Not only does the owner of the winning dog receive a million dollars but there is a million dollar “lucky door” prize. This is to try and attract an audience because people don’t want to watch greyhounds being maimed and killed.
Annual protests are held at the event with speakers from across the greyhound welfare and advocacy community.
In 2023, three dogs suffered serious injuries at the event. Three were seriously injured, two suffering fractured legs and one a lacerated neck.
One greyhound was carried away by a racing staff member before the eyes of a large group of animal welfare protesters demonstrating against the event.
After a public outcry the Million Dollar Chase is no longer shown on free-to-air TV and the state government hasn’t boasted about contributing prize money.