Greyhound Racing NSW Chief Executive Officer Rob Macaulay today announced that the Muswellbrook greyhound club is expected to race on its upgraded racetrack by the end of the year.
Mr Macaulay joined Member for the Upper Hunter, Mr David Layzell, in a tour of the facility today to inspect work on the $1.24 million upgrade, which began earlier this year following the purchase of the track by GRNSW from the Greyhound Breeders Owners & Trainers Association in 2021.
“It is pleasing to view the progress at Muswellbrook and to see first-hand the upgrades that will bring the track in line to host TAB meetings along with regular Non-TAB racing,” Mr Macaulay said.
“It is exciting for all participants in the Hunter Valley and the signs are that with some good weather conditions the work will be completed and the Muswellbrook club will be ready to race by the end of the year.”
The major works scheduled and in progress include an upgrade to the grass racing surface, a new lure rail, upgrades to the kennels and stewards’ tower, irrigation works, and an electrical upgrade of the facility.
“The Hunter Valley is a vital heartland of our sport, and while the region’s participants have access to facilities at Maitland and Newcastle (The Gardens), the participant population in the area justifies having another quality facility for them to race their greyhounds,” Mr Macaulay said.
“Muswellbrook is also well located for trainers to bring their dogs from Gunnedah and Tamworth in the New England region.
“The team at GRNSW would like to thank Muswellbrook club president Jo Russell and her team who have been patient as we have gone through an extensive process to prepare for this upgrade. We all share Jo’s excitement that a return to racing is not far away.”
Mr Layzell, who together with the Minister for Racing the Hon Kevin Anderson was on site when the Muswellbrook upgrade was announced, has been a big supporter of the sport and said he has regularly checked in with the club to monitor progress.
“We all know the importance and value to local communities of greyhound racing here in the Hunter,” Mr Layzell said.
“The Hunter Valley has always had a large greyhound and participant population and we need to nurture that, but by having another facility where people can visit and race, and invest in the local community, it will be truly beneficial to the people of Muswellbrook.
“Most importantly, the upgrade will make the Muswellbrook track a safer venue, and the NSW Government and GRNSW have both made it very clear that the welfare of our animals will continue to be at the forefront of everything the industry does.”
