74 | Greyhound Racing Greyhound Racing New Zealand Animal welfare moves to the front Relocating ducting at Whanganui Straight Track. T T Richard Loader Animal welfare was a key driver in Greyhound Racing New Zealand’s (GRNZ) decision to develop New Zealand’s first straight greyhound racing track, which enjoyed its first official race in July this year. The new straight track sits within Wanganui Racecourse’s thoroughbred race track, and backs onto Hatrick Raceway, the home ground for Wanganui Greyhound Racing Club, where races are held every Friday. All other greyhound racetracks in New Zealand are oval, and Edward Rennell, GRNZ’s CEO says it is believed the straight track design will put less strain and pressure on the dogs legs as they go around a turn. “The aim is to introduce a form of racing which lowers the dogs’ injury count and better uses the racing dog population. The straight track is also easier to maintain without cambers. We’re already getting very positive feedback from trainers, and there have been less dog injuries since race meets commenced on the track.” In another first, the decision was made to deviate from a sand-based track, in favour of a grass-based track, providing more consistency and an easier base for a centre drag lure. A centre drag lure attached to bungy cords has been adopted for the straight track, whereas on an oval track dogs pursue a lure attached to a side running rail. “Races are run over 313 metres, with a 50 metre area at the end where the dogs pull up. The dogs don’t finish on the lure, but run into a catching pen.” A grassed straight track had been used successfully in Australia and the project team, led by local Project Manager Graeme Dyhrberg, included Scott Robbins, a leading track expert based in Australia. “Because this hadn’t been done before in New Zealand, there was a very steep learning curve, but overall we are delighted with the outcome,” says Edward. “Graeme Dyhrberg deserves a great deal of credit for the success of the project. Other key team members were leading design and engineering consultancy WSP, and Bill Wilson who was our Racing Safety and Infrastructure Manager. Massey Turf Institute were heavily involved in the growing of the grass, and there were a number of components to the construction project which were contracted out to various local firms and contractors. The Wanganui Jockey Club were also amazing to work with. Their understanding and support has been outstanding.“ The board of GRNZ signed off approval for the $2.0 million project in July 2022, which was followed by a planning phase and construction. “We were also renovating the oval Hatrick track that had been shut for about sixteen months and priority was given to that, before commencing development of the new straight track in November 2022. We started running dogs down the track in April 2024, with official trials in June. We plan to have a race meeting on the straight track every fortnight all year round. Dogs are restricted to a maximum of two races per week, and so we just have to manage the dog population and do what is sustainable.” EŽŶ ^ůŝƉ ^ĂĨĞƚLJ DĂƫŶŐ ,ŝŐŚ ƋƵĂůŝƚLJ ůŽǁ ŵĂŝŶƚĞŶĂŶĐĞ ƐĂĨĞƚLJ ƐƵƌĨĂĐŝŶŐ ĐƵƐƚŽŵŝƐĞĚ ƚŽ LJŽƵƌ ĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚ͘ DĂŬŝŶŐ ƐĂĨĞƚLJ ĞĂƐLJ Ͳ ůĞƚ͛Ɛ ƚĂůŬ͊ WŚŽŶĞ͘ ϬϴϬϬ ϴϬ ϴϱ ϳϬ ŵĂŝů͘ ĂĚŵŝŶΛďƵƌŐĞƐƐŵĂƫŶŐ͘ĐŽ͘Ŷnj ǁǁǁ͘ďƵƌŐĞƐƐŵĂƫŶŐ͘ĐŽ͘Ŷnj WƌŽƵĚ ƚŽ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ 'ƌĞLJŚŽƵŶĚ ZĂĐŝŶŐ EĞǁ ĞĂůĂŶĚ YOUR LOCAL LAWN EXPERTS www.lawncompany.co.nz | 021 0222 0149 At The Lawn Company we know every lawn is different. Whether your lawn needs a regular weed and feed program or is in need of some serious TLC, contact us today for a free inspection. Serv c ng the Manawatu for over 69 years - 1955-2024 Pleased to be assoc ated w th Greyhound New Zealand on the r Stra ght Track proects For your conven ence get your Aggregate suppl es from our yard n Bennett Street Palmerston North Earthworks Driveways Roading Tree Removal Site Excavation Car Parks Section Clearing Farm Races Agricultural & Rural Needs Washed Sand Base Course Pea Metal Builders Mix River Run Washed Stone - all grades Foundation Fill Top Soil Silt DELIVERED DIRECT FROM OUR QUARRY LONG REACH EXCAVATION David Eales 0274 441 392 Fred Hoult 0272 301 335 Off ce 06 355 5022 nfo@houltsconz 25 Bennett St PO Box 4268 Palmerston North www.houltcontractors.co.nz Proud to carry out the electrical installation of the Straight Line track in Whanganui. Phone: 06 348 0033 Email: admin@strongelectrical.co.nz Electrical Services, Fire Security & BWOF and Heat Pumps & Ventilation
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=