The track in Wauchope stands out among all the dangerous ones in New South Wales.
With four racing fatalities this year, the track is currently the third-worst in Australia.
Time To Shout was the most recent greyhound to pass away who was struck by the lure system on August 7 as it collapsed during a race.
The track was upgraded to TAB level in October 2020, and the racing club bragged about it with pride. The refurbishment included new start boxes and a new surface. Additionally promoted was a $50,000 sponsorship from business bookmaker Bbet.
The club president enthusiastically promoted the participants’ additional reward money. But unfortunately, no one cared to claim that their main priority was animal welfare.
What happened? For greyhounds, not excellent.
On October 17, 2020, the upgraded track hosted its first race meeting, and Nastassja was murdered. Six days later, a second dog suffered a deadly injury at the official launch gathering.
Time To Shout won’t be the last in the recent string of fatalities and injuries.
Since the much-hyped renovation was finished, eight greyhounds have died in 27 race meets. Eight greyhounds were forgotten about and placed in the freezer.
In addition, one dog had a dislocation, while six others had shattered legs. In 27 race meetings, 15 greyhounds were killed or seriously injured, which is probably within NSW track safety guidelines.
Does a $50,000 sponsorship of the greyhounds result in this? Or the $30 million in public money pledged for renovations, only a portion of which has been actually used? Oh, you’re right. This tune has already undergone an improvement.
The deceased greyhounds are not included on the Wauchope Racing Club’s Facebook page. And despite the track’s appalling safety record, it’s a sure thing that NSW Racing Minister Kevin Anderson won’t be closing it.
RIP to the eight Wauchope greyhounds who have lost everything since the renovated track:
17/10/2020 NASTASSJA fractured hock
23/10/2020 DOUBLE DREAM fractured wrist
11/11/2020 LITTLE NAJA fractured tibia
21/12/2020 BELLA BONUS comminuted fracture of foreleg and wrist
23/01/2021 FLYING FORTRESS fractured humerus
14/04/2021 PRETTY SMART fractured femur
26/06/2021 SKETCHY TRAPDOOR fractured femur
07/08/2021 TIME TO SHOUT compound fracture of a foreleg
Photos from the Wauchope racing event (l to r), the lure that will kill him, and the time to shout; When Heathcote Rams is about to be struck by four other greyhounds, Flying Fortress falls and will be killed; he also sustains a fractured hock. Cuffs are seen falling at the home turn in the cover photo.
Note: this track falls within the state electorate of Melinda Pavey MP, Nationals state member for Oxley, Minister for Water, Property and Housing in the Berejiklian Government;
And federal electorate of Dr David Gillespie MP, Nationals federal member for Lyne, Minister for Regional Health.