(Howie – aka Cambla Kid –  may not have been a champion on the track but he could always sniff out a yarn. Now in retired Howie has decided to start pumping out a monthly column on his beloved Bundaberg club. Here’s Howie’s first offering.)

BUNDABERG is no longer the home of the leftovers!

The track has come a long way since being known for the dogs that couldn’t match it in the city or at Rockhampton.

Visitors used to use the track for dogs returning from injury, those not making the grade at other tracks or just an opportunity to make easy prizemoney.

But not anymore!

Come to the Bundaberg greyhound race track now thinking you’re a ‘sure thing’ and you will be bitterly disappointed.

For years locals were told when they ventured down to Albion Park or Ipswich that they weren’t good enough and to buy better quality dogs.

Easy enough for the TAB clubs but almost impossible with the prizemoney on offer at Bundy at that time.

The locals knew that once the club went TAB and became more financially stable with regular race meetings and increased prizemoney then better breeding options would naturally follow.

Upgrades to the track (still ongoing), new starting boxes, and consistent grounds maintenance have not only made it safer for our dogs, but also reinvigorated members and the committee in solidarity towards supporting the club.

It has also reignited in all a passion for the sport and to breed future champions.

Just over a year since going TAB these are some of the local dogs (in no particular order) who have led the way for a brighter future – Cambla LaLa, Elegant Eleanor, Bella Ultra, Not Scared, Savuro, Fernando Tears, Burn Out and Fogleberg to name a few.

Currently running a 10-race meeting over 460m and 550m every Monday, we are now looking at introducing a new 315m distance to our a magnificent grass track. And the club is still grounded with a country astmosphere.

We now look forward to hosting our guests from afar with friendly rivalry and good humour.

Yours in racing spirit

Howie (AKA Cambla Kid)

Bundaberg Greyhound Racing Club