A: We wanted to get the new calendar out as soon as possible so people could plan their programs under the new regional model. We as yet haven’t settled on the City prizemoney venues beyond June 15, but if we continue in this same format I can assure you there will be those additional prizemoney meetings as promised.
A: Essentially that is correct. The Riverina Zone has now joined with the Western Districts zone, the Northern Rivers zone remains intact, while the other zone is now made up of the Metro/Southern zone, the Hunter zone, and the New England zone. Trainers can nominate and race their greyhounds at any track within one of the three zones depending on their location.
A: You are able to race at all the tracks open in your old Hunter region: Ladbrokes Gardens, Gosford and Maitland, and you are now also able to race at tracks in the Metro/Southern region: Richmond, Bulli, Dapto, Nowra and Goulburn, and Gunnedah in the New England region. You will now also be able to race at Wentworth Park.
A: No, the zone you have been racing in, must remain your zone.
A: No. Everyone must stay and race in their regions for the time being. While your dog may not prefer Dubbo, Saturday City Prizemoney meetings will be held each week in each region, so hopefully one of the other venues in your region will suit your dog.
A: Under the current NSW Government restrictions, you are not able to stay overnight with friends or relatives but you would be able to stay in legitimate accommodation (hotel, motel, motor inn, caravan park etc).
A: While we are about to return to racing at Wentworth Park, no decision has yet been made in regards to feature racing.
A: Thank you for your question. As Lithgow is on the border of the Western and Metro zones, you would have had the option to choose which zone you raced in at the start of the regional zoning, and you have chosen the Western Districts region. We have added the Riverina to your racing options, but not said you must race there. You still have the Bathurst - around 50 minutes away - and Dubbo, the options you originally had, and we have announced we will be racing once a week in each region for Saturday City Prizemoney. We are certainly not favouring the “big trainers” and have tried to spread opportunities across the State, and for all participants – including bringing City prizemoney into all zones, not just Wentworth Park.
A: It is true that some regions will not be able to race in the city at Wentworth Park for the moment, but country trainers are not being deprived of prizemoney. As we announced yesterday, each of the other regions will race once a week for City prizemoney.
A: Yes, this is critical. As we all know, we have secured venues under the strictest biosecurity measures. So please remain vigilant and observe all the hygiene advice and use common sense. We have been able to continue to race through this pandemic because we have done the right thing. As we expand options from six controlled regional zones to three bigger zones, please keep up the good work and strong disciplines that have so far protected our industry, participants and communities.
