Caption: Hastings River Greyhound Club President Rex Nairn and State Member for Oxley, Melinda Pavey, cut the ribbon for the official re-opening of Wauchope greyhound track.
By ROWAN ANDERSON
Christmas has come early for greyhound fans in the NSW Northern Rivers with the return of the Wauchope Christmas Carnival.
Established in 1953, the Hastings River Greyhound Club originally raced at the Wauchope Showgrounds before transferring to their current location on Beechwood Road, Wauchope, over 50 years ago.
Following a track closure last year followed by an extensive upgrade to the facilities the greyhounds are ready to hit the track once more as club President Rex Nairn told Chase News.
“Racing coming back means a lot as we had it taken away and have been out for 14 months,” Nairn said.
“If everything goes like it normally goes, we will get a lot of people in to celebrate with us.”
The track upgrade included the installation of a new lure rail and modifications to the existing safety rail and marks a new chapter for the proud club, 20 minutes from Port Macquarie.
Nairn has been a part of the Club for 25 years and is excited about not only the Christmas Carnival but for more races in coming months.
The Christmas carnival will be non-tab but will include the time-honoured Butch Monkley Memorial Maiden (384 metres) on December 26 – in memory of one of the true advocates of the sport.
“He (Butch Monkley) was actually one of the four people who built the track here. He was a big part of this club,” Nairn said.
This year marks the 50th running of the event at the Wauchope track, although it was run last year at Grafton.
“It was decided to move it to Grafton last year while we were closed, but this year will be special,” said Nairn.
“We try to organise it in line with the horse racing so people can come down, watch some racing here and make it an even bigger event.”
December also sees the Heats of the Wauchope Cup (December 31) with the Final in January – for its 50th edition also.
“It has had different names for the race, but it’s always been the Cup.
“We are also planning to have a New Years Eve Party here afterwards for anybody who wants to stay.
“With the New Year’s public holiday on the Monday, it will mean patrons have that extra day to have a bit of a party and have Sunday and Monday to get over it.
“A lot of people used to come here for the race meet. In past years we have had about 15 caravans here.”
The Christmas Carnival kicks off on Boxing Day with the first race at 6.30pm highlighted by the Butch Monkley Memorial Maiden over the 384m. Heat winners receive $500 with $150 for second and $100 third. The winner of the Final will take $6000 and a trophy with $1800 second prize and $1000 for third place getter.
On New Year’s Eve racing returns to the track for the Heats of the Wauchope Cup and Local Bookmakers Sprint.
With the club having been given TAB racing status for a short period of time – nine months – prior to the shutdown of the club, Nairn remains optimistic of a TAB return.
“We never have any trouble getting dogs here. We have always had some great dogs come here to race,” he said.
