Greyhound racing proving popular

By Kath Gannaway
MORE people are going to the dogs in Healesville than ever before.
That could explain the smile on Ken Hutchinson’s face.
As club manager of the Healesville Greyhound Association (HGA) Mr Hutchinson said greyhound racing at the picturesque Don Road track was more than keeping pace with the increasing profile of the sport statewide.
Increased attendances and prize money were highlights of Greyhound Racing Victoria’s 2005/06 Annual Report released earlier this month.
The report showed Healesville was 19 per cent up on attendances and 25 per cent up on stake money for the year.
John Pandazopoulos, Minister for Racing, said greyhound racing was playing an increasingly important role in the Victorian and national racing calendar.
“Country punters are voting with their feet with record double digit attendance increases over the year at Healesville, Cranbourne, Shepparton, Geelong and Wangaratta,” he said.
Mr Hutchinson said the first five meetings of this season showed the trend was continuing. Compared to the same time last season attendances are up by 29 per cent from 586 to 755, gate takings are up by 36 per cent and the bookmaker’s turnover is up 33 per cent from $29,747 to $39,622.
Melton trainer Wally Elmer says the HGA is on a winning formula.
Mr Elmer was leading trainer at Healesville two years ago and was showing good form again on Saturday with a win by Phiona in the Kings and Queens final.
He has been making the trip from Melton since the track opened some 20 years ago, and like a lot of regional trainers says he is happy to put in the travelling time if he knows his dogs will be racing on a good track.
“The surface of this track is excellent,” he said. “It’s always in good condition and the other facilities here are also good.
“The prize money is on the improve too. It has more than doubled in the time I have been coming here.”
Mr Hutchinson said trainers, owners and punters can expect to see more improvements over the next nine months.
More than half a million dollars will be spent on redeveloping the kennels and improvements to the public area.